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Opinion

West Ham’s David Sullivan points to where Newcastle are going wrong

9 years ago
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West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has pointed out where Newcastle’s big weakness is.

After the two goal defeat for the Hammers on Monday, Sullivan was understandably happy with the result and performance overall, but particularly pleased about the impact of one new signing.

David Sullivan told the West Ham website Claret and Hugh the following:

“If Dimitri Payet was 21 years old he would probably have cost in the region of £40 million. We paid £10 million dead!”

The former Marseille midfielder will turn 29 before the end of the season but looks a real quality signing.

He has come into West Ham and instantly produced, with three goals already he has provided a real attacking threat as well as creativity and excellent all round game.

Little surprise as he is an experienced player who has a number of caps for France and has made four appearances for his country this year after being recalled to the national squad.

Florian Thauvin has all the time in the world with his career in front of him but Newcastle needed players who could come in and produce ASAP, expecting a 22 year old who has had his share of problems already in his short career to have an instant similar impact is a much tougher call.

Plus of course Dimitri Payet signed for the Hammers way back in June, whilst Thauvin followed his former teammate out of Marseille almost two months later, after the start of the Premier League season.

The key thing though is that just like Palace with Yohan Cabaye, West Ham have gone with an older experienced player.

At 28 Payet may not be able to be sold for a big profit in a year or two’s time but he is in his prime and could well be West Ham’s key midfielder for the next three or four years. With so much money flowing into the Premier League, just how valuable could that be?

As it stands, West Ham have paid £10m for an experienced French international midfielder who is in his prime, whilst Newcastle have paid a few million more for his teammate who has loads of potential, but who has never played for his country at senior level and is still finding his way in the game.

I’m not saying Newcastle shouldn’t have bought Florian Thauvin but surely there should be room in the transfer strategy to mix and match both younger and older experienced players, to help try and ensure that United have the best chance of a stronger team both in the future AND the present day.

(To feature like Dean send in your articles for our website to contribute@themag.co.uk – all views those of the author etc etc)

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