West Ham could be without two members of their first team squad for more than a month at a pivotal point in the 2021/22 season when the Africa Cup of Nations takes place.
Manager David Moyes faces a major headache in January 2022 as things stand. October arrival Said Benrahma has already qualified with Algeria this week and newly-capped Ivory Coast international Sebastien Haller stands on the brink of qualification with his country.
The competition had to be rearranged owing to the ongoing pandemic and the now bi-annual tournament is to be held in Cameroon across January and February of 2022.
Benrahma’s arrival was a major coup for the Hammers as the 25-year-old was a wanted man after his stunning 2019/20 Championship campaign for Brentford.
The winger is yet to make his full debut at London Stadium as Moyes allows his new man time to adapt.
Haller remains on the periphery at West Ham when all options are available, although the powerful striker has started the Irons’ last two Premier League matches in the absence of Michail Antonio.
Both Haller and Benrahma have now completed this round of international fixtures and will head back to England to prepare for West Ham’s trip to Sheffield United this weekend.
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Although this tournament comes as nothing new to Premier League managers, who for years have had to deal with losing their star African players for a prolonged spell, it is no less frustrating for Moyes, who will likely have been hoping to rely on Benrahma in particular by then.
The Hammers are relatively well-stocked for wingers and should be able to cope without the Algerian should he be called up for the tournament.
In terms of strikers, there is already plenty of talk around Moyes wanting to bring in a new option, and Ivory Coast’s likely qualification may only act to enhance the desire for reinforcements.
