I know, I know. Silly season is well and truly in full swing but the rumour circulating today about the return of bad boy, wonderkid, Ravel Morrison, to the Boleyn Ground, has to be the silliest one so far?
Or is it? Apparently David Sullivan is looking into this possibility after the confirmed departure of manager Sam Allardyce last week, the man who finally gave up on Rav last summer.
After being released by West Ham, Morrison (now 22) has been training with Serie A giants Lazio since February and is reported to have signed a pre-contract agreement with the Roman club to play next season.
However, a pre-contract agreement is just that and it is legally possible for the player or the club to change their mind about the deal. So theoretically, if West Ham want it to happen and so does Ravel, then he can come back.
Recently on Ravel’s own incredibly crazy, confusing but entertaining Instagram page, he asks youth team prodigy Reece Oxford ‘U want me back?’ and has posted many photos and captions showing his apparent love for the Irons.
It’s no secret that both the Dave’s are huge fans of the supremely talented midfielder and maybe they feel that the right manager can get the best out of Ravel? Someone like Marcelo Bielsa maybe?
Now, I too am a massive fan of Ravel Morrison as a footballer. I saw nothing wrong at all in his performances on the pitch for West Ham. Yes, he could be inconsistent but show me a footballer at the age of 19/20, who is consistent in the Premier League.
The most wonderful of goals and performance to go at White Hart Lane, 5 goals in his first 15 appearances from midfield, some breath taking moments of skill and the best individual display of skill I have ever seen from an England U21 player, when playing against Lithuania, is what makes watching football so enjoyable.
He’s the most gifted English player for a long time and even my Dad, a passionate Hammers fan of 51 years but hates modern day football, took one look at him and said ‘Best player I have seen since George Best’
However, his talent is not what is in doubt. As we all know there has been a history of misdemeanours. Witness intimidation in his time at Manchester United, homophobic tweets and a recent charge for assault, which was dropped. Other rumours that he went AWOL and didn’t turn up for training on occasions are pretty damning if true. Is he poisonous within the dressing room? Maybe. I’ve also read reports from ex-managers like Harry Redknapp and Lee Clark that he is a good lad as well.
In all probability, Ravel is not coming back to West Ham but what should concern us fans is, if David Sullivan is really considering this move, should he really be getting involved at all? Surely it should be the new manager’s decision anyway? Otherwise Ravel himself could be back to square one again, when he just needs to go and knuckle down and play for someone that really believes in him.
A Marcelo Bielsa/Ravel combination though anyone? I’d pay to watch that, whatever the result.
MORE: Why Marcelo Bielsa is the right man to replace Sam Allardyce as West Ham manager.
MORE: Our writers share their views on who should be the next West Ham manager. Read.
