What would Toulouse forward Wissam Ben Yedder bring to West Ham?

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2016/17 could be a real game-changer for West Ham United. The Hammers have departed their old Boleyn Ground home at Upton Park and have upped sticks to the old Olympic Park, with an extra 20,000 seats for spectators, a season-ticket waiting list longer than ever, and a brand new location which is practical and primed for expanding the profile of the East End outfit. They will also be competing in Europe, after Slaven Bilic’s Irons managed a 7th place finish in 2015/16 to qualify for the Europa League.

But on the pitch, that age-old dilemma is getting the Croatian manager scratching his head again: goals. Specifically from the forwards, and rather troublingly a lack of them. Dimitri Payet was West Ham’s top goalscorer from midfield with 12 across all competitions last season, whilst none of Bilic’s strikers got into double figures. Target man Andy Carroll came the closest with nine Premier League goals, but the other strikers at the club last season- Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia, Nikica Jelavic, Mauro Zarate and Emmanuel Emenike- only registered 13 goals between them across the campaign.

With Carroll, Valencia and Sakho the only three forwards still on the club’s books going into next season and a maiden Europa League campaign on the horizon, Slaven Bilic has set about resolving the situation by citing transfer targets to bolster his forward line. One of these, as reported by the Mirror, is believed to be 25-year old Toulouse forward, Wissam Ben Yedder.

The Sarcelles-born striker dubbed “Benyebut” (Benyegoal, to you and I) has plied his trade with the southern French outfit since 2010, and first caught the eye netting 14 goals in 20 appearances for their reserve side. He scored his first senior goal in 2012 at Evian, and in the four seasons since he has made 156 Ligue 1 appearances for the club, netting on 63 occasions and beating French international André-Pierre Gignac’s record of being the most prolific scorer to feature for the club in the 21st century. In 2015/16 he netted a career best of 17 for the club, goals which ultimately saved them from relegation as they finished 17th in Ligue 1 and a mere one point above the drop zone.

At 5 feet and 7 inches, Ben Yedder is known for his pace and finishing, known to be a nippy, flair striker whose movement is effective and can play off his teammates also. His goalscoring record in France over the last few seasons speaks volumes in itself, with 16 goals in 2013/14 and another 14 the season after. But despite his endeavours, Toulouse are struggling regularly in Ligue 1 these days, and the forward may just be tempted to test himself at a higher level for a stronger club were an approach to be made.

The lure of European football would certainly count in the Hammers’ favour, as well as the prospect of featuring alongside his international calibre compatriot Dimitri Payet. With the lack of wealth across Ligue 1 in comparison to the Premier League, with the obvious exclusions of clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, it is unlikely the Hammers would be priced out of a move either.

With Ben Yedder’s most prolific season at senior level last season now under his belt, there is strong reason to believe that the forward could push on in Hammers colours and score goals in the Premier League. His link-up play and sharpness would provide West Ham with a new dimension in attack, which may prove particularly helpful not just in the Premier League but in Europe. In Andy Carroll they have a target man, they have a strong forward in Enner Valencia and in Diafra Sakho a finisher with pace. Ben Yedder’s contribution would add something to West Ham’s forward line that in recent seasons has been somewhat missed, potentially the type of forward unseen at the club since Carlos Tevez graced the Upton Park turf.

The player is also effective if deployed in a wide position, often playing as part of a three-pronged attack whilst at Toulouse. If Bilic chooses to adopt a 4-3-3 formation, the Frenchman would fit in well having been used to such a system. In games where a target man such as Carroll may be deemed ineffective, Ben Yedder provides a creative spearhead to hold up the ball, run the channels and drag defenders out of place whilst bringing others into play, rather then being static and simply holding up the ball. He is also an intelligent mover and can play off the last defender, potentially profiting from the creativity of Payet and the support of another creative forward in Diafra Sakho alongside him.

West Ham’s main dilemma was goals in attack last season, and besides his strong attributes apart from the goals he scores, his record in Ligue 1 is admirable and suggests the player is indeed a goalscorer. The Premier League would undoubtedly be a new level for the player, where he is of course unproven, but with the calibre of players around him and what he can bring to the forward line, even if he were to take time to adapt to the climate of the English leagues, there is little reason to doubt his capacity to succeed. At 25 years of age, he is also entering his prime as a striker, and the time may be ripe for him to make the step-up to a higher standard league and pitt himself against some of Europe’s other promising sides. The player certainly presents himself as a promising option, but the question remains as to whether or not West Ham and Bilic will make their move.

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