Said Benrahma has not yet enjoyed the glittering start to life in the Premier League he would have envisaged when he completed his deadline day switch to West Ham.
Signed on an initial loan deal, the Algerian has made just two appearances for the Hammers, both of which came late on from the substitutes’ bench.
The 25-year-old, who is currently away on international duty, was left out of the first matchday squad for he was eligible, with manager David Moyes highlighting the need for patience over the new arrival.
Benrahma enjoyed an auspicious final 18 minutes of the Irons’ 1-0 victory over Fulham prior to the break, assisting Tomas Soucek for the winner.
However, after a run of difficult fixtures, Moyes’ men return to domestic action with a favourable schedule and that could be the catalyst for the Scottish manager to unleash his new star signing.
Having operated on the left wing during both his substitute appearances so far, Benrahma could be in line to replace Pablo Fornals in the starting XI for the trip to Sheffield United next week.
Last season’s form earned the talented winger his move to east London, scoring 17 Championship goals whilst firing Brentford to the brink of promotion.
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With struggling Sheffield United on the horizon, it could well be time to allow Benrahma to showcase himself for the first time as a West Ham player.
Such is his talent that former Brentford player Sam Saunders excitedly declared: “I trained with him and I know it’s a big shout but he is a little bit like Lionel Messi in the way he can run with the ball with pace.” [EFL Matters via Sky Sports]
Fornals has done a more than a respectable job so far this season, both in terms of attacking and defending. However with the Irons likely to see far more of the ball than in many games of late, someone with Benrahma’s creativity and eye for a goal could be paramount in breaking down Chris Wilder’s defence.
