Former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has heaped praise on the performances of West Ham defender Craig Dawson this season and claimed that the on-loan Watford man would be a bargain this summer if, as the Daily Mail suggested, the Irons sign him permanently for around £3m.
Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell was full of admiration for how the 30-year-old has performed for the Hammers and placed much of the team’s success this season at the door of the centre-back, saying:
It’s cheap money isn’t it, so cheap. In the summer, there was a lot of talk about where Craig Dawson was going or where he could go. You know, maybe people didn’t really rate him as much but that goes to show what a good player he is.
He’s come in, he’s made the defence a lot better and they have got competition for places at the back, which is great. That’s what you need.
Dawson is currently enjoying a prolonged run in David Moyes’ side, playing every minute of West Ham’s last 10 Premier League fixtures. In that time, the defender has won 71% his aerial duels (Sofascore), which is markedly higher than centre-back team-mates Fabian Balbuena (57%), Issa Diop (50%) and Angelo Ogbonna (58%).
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Having been notable by his absence in the early months of the season, few could have predicted Dawson’s impact at West Ham when his chance finally presented itself. However, he has been almost perfect defensively, and has also chipped in with important goals along the way.
At the reported £3m fee, less than his Transfermarkt value, the Hammers truly would land a bargain if they clinch a permanent deal for the 30-year-old, whose praise from Campbell has been well-earned.
