---
title: "Better than King? Here’s how Abdallah Sima compares"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/11/abdallah-sima-josh-king-compared-west-ham-rumours/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2021-01-11T10:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-11T10:30:00Z"
---

# Better than King? Here’s how Abdallah Sima compares

Recruitment from Prague-based clubs seems to be a common occurrence for West Ham, and the [latest reports](https://www.claretandhugh.info/report-hammers-prioritise-slavia-prague-striker/) linking 19-year-old Senegalese prospect Abdallah Sima with a move to the Irons fits the trend.

The young prospect, who features for Slavia Prague, could follow in the footsteps of [Vladimir Coufal](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/october/02-october/west-ham-united-sign-czech-republic-international-vladimir) and [Tomas Soucek](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/july/24-july/west-ham-united-complete-eu21m-permanent-tomas-soucek-transfer) in making a switch from the Czech capital to east London in search of Premier League football.

According to [The Mirror](https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-mirror/20210108) \[via [Claret & Hugh](https://www.claretandhugh.info/report-hammers-prioritise-slavia-prague-striker/)\], West Ham are prioritising an immediate reinvestment of the [£20m windfall](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/08/west-ham-sell-sebastien-haller-to-ajax-at-25m-loss) from the sale of Sebastien Haller into a move for Sima.

However, just as the Hammers look to bring in an immediate replacement for Haller in the teenager, how does he shape up against [long-time reported target](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9114759/West-Brom-boss-Sam-Allardyce-eyes-cut-price-deal-favour-Bournemouth-striker-Josh-King.html) Joshua King?

The 28-year-old Norwegian has been [a mainstay](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/profil/spieler/91059) of Bournemouth’s plans since his move from Blackburn in 2015. Scoring [47 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/profil/spieler/91059) for the Cherries in the Premier League alone, King boasts plentiful top-flight experience and a proven eye for goal.

With just [six months left](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/profil/spieler/91059) on his contract, King could be picked up for a fraction of the fee which would be needed to take Sima to London.

The Senegalese teenager is by no means a bad option but could be an expensive risk in a position which comes with an expectation to deliver in the final third.

He has [eight goal involvements](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/abdallah-sima/profil/spieler/776798) in as many Czech league appearances this season, but has no proven top European experience [beyond the Europa League](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/abdallah-sima/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/776798).

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

The rationale behind accepting a major loss on Haller in the first place was due to concerns over productivity in front of goal, with Moyes confirming that the Hammers [feared](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9128913/David-Moyes-admits-West-Ham-sell-Haller-Ajax-wouldnt-got-fee-future.html) an offer as good as Ajax’s would never come again.

Sima is an attractive prospect, but the finances of a possible deal and the experience of King makes him a more viable option. West Ham can’t afford any major risk with their next centre-forward purchase.