West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass is seemingly on his way out of east London to join up with former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce at West Brom.
Following the well-wishes to the 33-year-old, who has been a popular member of the Irons since his arrival from Hull City in 2017, attention will turn to what his absence means to David Moyes’ squad.
Although the influence of Snodgrass has waned in recent times, he was a constant member of the matchday squad, making six appearances this season, and as such will need to be replaced.
Whilst his exit may implore the club to make new signings in order to replace the Scotsman, the Hammers may be wise to look within their current ranks for a budding talent to step up.
Nathan Holland was once touted as the next big thing to come out of the Academy of Football, as well as being hailed as a “diamond of a kid” by ex-Everton scout Martin Waldron, before a torn hamstring suffered whilst on loan at Oxford United curtailed his development.
Now back in east London and turning out for the Irons’ under-23s again, this could be Holland’s time to shine all over again, having made his Premier League debut back in April 2019.
A perennial nearly man in his early years, the England under-19 international has the enviable record of netting 19 goals and supplying 18 assists in his 50 appearances for the young Hammers.
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Whilst Holland’s fitness issues aren’t yet a thing of the past, the opportunity to slowly integrate the 22-year-old into the first team setup is one not to be missed.
There is no immediate requirement to sign a ready-made winger with Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen performing so well. Therefore the Manchester-born youngster, who is capable of playing on both wings, can bide his time and take his chance when it comes along.
