The West Ham board, already deeply unpopular with elements of the Hammers’ fanbase, would be making a grave mistake if they were to sell Ryan Fredericks.
The right-back has found himself usurped in the pecking order by summer signing Vladimir Coufal, with the Czech international preferred over the ex-Fulham man. However, the Hammers simply cannot afford to lose the depth offered by Fredericks.
Reputable Irons source Claret & Hugh has indicated that ‘Ryan Fredericks will be sold in January, if West Ham receive an offer for the right-back’ – with the replies to this claim via WHUFC News on Twitter indicating a strong backlash from many supporters.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
From a public relations perspective alone, the asset-stripping of the squad would seem ludicrous, let alone from a sporting perspective.
The Hammers are enjoying a fruitful resurgence under the tutelage of David Moyes as they sit in the top half of the Premier League table – so why does the squad need to be incessantly interfered with?
Take nothing away from Coufal’s performances at right wing-back; plucked from the Czech top flight, he has been instrumental in helping to deliver success in what is the Hammers’ best start to a top-flight season in five years under Moyes.
It is not a question of quality but a question of depth. Were Fredericks to leave in January, the squad lacks notable experienced cover beyond that of the young Ben Johnson. Even so, the 20-year-old is more familiar as a deeper right-back, so it is likely that he would need time to adapt to a more advanced role and to the demands of Premier League football.
Finding an adequate replacement will not come cheap; Fredericks deserves a chance to meaningfully compete for his place, even if he can leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. The 28-year-old has plenty of years ahead of him, and could be required in the future if Coufal becomes unavailable or loses form. Therefore, it would be foolish by West Ham to jettison him now.
