Andriy Yarmolenko could be a £17m West Ham United dud

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On paper, it appears West Ham United winger Andriy Yarmolenko has had a decent international break. He scored the winning goal against Slovakia at the weekend, as his nation won their opening two UEFA Nations League fixtures.

However, on closer inspection, it was not a good week. The West Ham summer signing was criticised by pundits in his home country.

They say he looks sluggish, slow and off the pace. It is, as if, he has lost his magic.

England fans know all too well what he can do. When Ukraine were at their best it was the magic of Yarmolenko on the right and Yevhen Konoplyanka on the left that had defences terrified.

Yarmolenko’s ability to switch inside from the right and unleash his ferocious left-foot was his trademark.

However, it appears he has lost a yard of pace in his miserable season at Borussia Dortmund, making it hard for him to expose full-backs.

West Ham will hope this is just temporary. Based on his previous exploits with Dynamo Kiev and Ukraine the Hammers felt justified in spending a reported £17 million and £100k-a-week in wages for the 28-year-old.

But if he has burnt out, he could be another West Ham dud.