West Ham’s deadline day signing Said Benrahma is still awaiting his first start as a Hammer and the initial excitement surrounding the arrival may have gone somewhat cold.
David Moyes immediately dampened the optimism around the Algerian winger in his first press conference following his arrival on a season-long loan with an agreement to make the transfer permanent. The Irons manager told fans they would have to be patient with the new man as he plays the long game with him.
So far this season, the loan signing has seen just 19 minutes of Premier League action, giving away a penalty and laying on an assist in that time.
Recently, Moyes reiterated his stance on the 25-year-old and suggested his team’s current wingers have done too good a job to make way for Benrahma.
Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen would be the likely candidates to be replaced by Benrahma, and between them they have been involved directly in seven goals this season.
However, it’s not just in the attacking sense that the rwo wingers have been influencing the Hammers’ start to the season. Both have been full of running and tracking back in what has been a fixture list filled with tough assignments during the opening weeks of the 2020/21 campaign.
Whilst Benrahma’s talent is clear for all to see having enjoyed such a remarkable Championship campaign for Brentford last season, he is not renowned for his willingness to defend. That flaw in his game was underpinned by his tackle late on against Fulham, a moment which may have swayed Moyes’ mind when picking his recent line-ups.
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Having performed so well in what has been a testing start to the season for the Hammers, both Fornals and Bowen have earned the right to retain their places and have the opportunity to express themselves in what on paper seem like more favourable upcoming fixtures for the Irons.
Benrahma, despite all the clamour and elation surrounding his arrival at London Stadium, may be forced to watch on from the bench for a little while yet.
