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One Premier League striker who was available in the summer could have made a big impact at West Ham United
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The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Want to add more newsletters? Five times a week Four Four Two Daily Fantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more. Once a week . .. And it’s LIVE! Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off! Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. West Ham’s Premier League struggles this season have been exacerbated by the absence of a reliable No. 9, and according to one club source, missed something of an open goal where Leeds United did not. The Hammers signed Callum Wilson on a free transfer in the summer, but he has scored just five league goals so far. Niclas Fullkrug came and went, and there has been a continued reliance on Jarrod Bowen - top scorer with eight Premier League goals - to find the net.
Things have improved of late with Crysencio Summerville hitting form, and the January additions of strikers Taty Castellanos and Pablo, although neither of them have started particularly quickly in the goals department. But West Ham, it seems, are rueing their decision not to move for a striker who was available last summer. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a free agent for several weeks after leaving Everton, where a combination of injuries and poor form had seen him fall out of favour. There were several interested parties, but it was newly-promoted Leeds who secured the 28-year-old’s signature. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. And it was a signing that proved hugely important: Calvert-Lewin has netted 10 goals in 24 league appearances so far this season, leading the line superbly for a side that look set to successfully avoid relegation. West Ham, meanwhile, have been left to wonder what might have been as they attempt to drag themselves to safety. “We regret not signing Calvert-Lewin, especially on a free transfer, ” a senior spokesman at the club reportedly said.
“Mr [Graham] Potter didn’t want a forward and would not let us sign one. Nuno came in and identified he wanted two and it has helped massively, ” the unnamed source claimed. In Four Four Two’s view, a striker of Calvert-Lewin’s quality and proven Premier League pedigree may well have made the difference for West Ham in a league of fine margins. But that is easy to say in hindsight; he only scored three league goals for Everton in his final season on Merseyside. Leeds, meanwhile, will have been pleasantly surprised to see Calvert-Lewin back to his best at Elland Road, but are reaping the rewards for their bravery in the market. Callum is a football writer who has had work published by the likes of BBC Sport, the Independent, BT Sport and the Blizzard, amongst various others. A lifelong Wrexham fan, he is hoping Ryan Reynolds can lead his hometown club to the promised land. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
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