---
title: "Claudio Ranieri praises West Ham target Mikkel Damsgaard – with a note of caution"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/02/17/claudio-ranieri-praise-west-ham-target-mikkel-damsgaard/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-02-17T11:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-17T11:00:00Z"
---

# Claudio Ranieri praises West Ham target Mikkel Damsgaard – with a note of caution

Premier League-winning manager Claudio Ranieri has heaped praise on one of his current Sampdoria charges [Mikkel Damsgaard](https://readwestham.com/2021/02/12/west-ham-to-rival-premier-league-clubs-for-mikkel-damsgaard/), who is [reportedly](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9259643/West-Ham-rival-Tottenham-Sampdorias-Mikkel-Damsgaard-face-competition-Juventus.html) on the radar of [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/02/17/west-ham-target-odsonne-edouard-could-leave-for-cut-price-fee/), while also issuing a note of caution about the youngster.

The talented Danish winger is enjoying a [superb debut season in Serie A](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikkel-damsgaard/leistungsdaten/spieler/540941) and has attracted the attention of the Hammers as well as [Tottenham](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/tottenham-monitoring-sampdoria-winger-mikkel-damsgaard), [Leeds and Southampton](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/southampton-west-ham-leeds-rival-23482507).

That attention could now be ramped up as Ranieri, who [led Leicester to Premier League glory](https://www.lcfc.com/news/1238207/the-managers-claudio-ranieri-20152017) five years ago, has lauded the 20-year-old in an interview with [SosFanta](https://sosfanta.calciomercato.com/ranieri-damsgaard-e-un-enfant-prodige-vi-dico-che-lo-gestiro-cosi/), but also warned prospective suitors against “burdening” him with expectation.

The Italian said: ”Damsgaard is an infant prodigy, he must be managed quietly without burdening him with too many responsibilities.”

The youngster earned his first senior callup recently and subsequently won his [first Denmark cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikkel-damsgaard/nationalmannschaft/spieler/540941/verein_id/3436), a reward for his [fine form at club level](https://www.sofascore.com/player/damsgaard-mikkel/907072).

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Clearly, Ranieri feels he has a top player under his tutelage in the Danish starlet, and given the [stature and number of clubs linked](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog-transfer-talk/story/4312477/transfer-talk-spursjuventus-eye-sampdorias-damsgaard) with the winger, he may just be correct.

David Moyes is unlikely to focus his mind on a winger this summer, having [landed a permanent deal for Said Benrahma](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/october/16-october/west-ham-united-seal-said-benrahma-loan-deal) recently to add to Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen in that department.

However, with defensive contributions [highlighted as a strong facet](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/401168/Show/Mikkel-Damsgaard) to Damsgaard’s game as well as capabilities of playing [right across the midfield](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikkel-damsgaard/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/540941), Moyes should certainly be intrigued by the Sampdoria prospect.