Former Premier League goalkeeper and occasional Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson has voiced his surprise at David Moyes’ reluctance to start Maxwel Cornet in the Premier League.
The Ivory Coast international committed to a five-year deal in east London as the Hammers came to an agreement with Burnley for a £17.5m move this summer, but he has been limited to substitute appearances in the top flight so far.
The former Clarets attacker scored nine goals in 26 Premier League games at Turf Moor last term, although he is yet to get off the mark in the top flight for his new club, having been limited to just 52 minutes of league action.
He had the ball in the net at Stamford Bridge before a controversial VAR decision halted celebrations, but he has already grabbed five assists in the Europa Conference League including the play-offs.
Robinson calls for Cornet to start
Robinson has been left stunned that Cornet has been restricted to starts in Europe, telling Football Insider: “I’m really surprised he has not come into the side in the Premier League.
“When he has started in Europe he has done really well. The same goes for [Gianluca] Scamacca, in all honesty. Moyes has not taken the big decision to play them in the Premier League though.
“Cornet is a goal threat and he creates chances. He had a big impact off the bench against both Chelsea and Everton.
“He gives you something different with his pace, power and ability to score all types of goals. I thought he was a brilliant addition.
“I just don’t understand why Moyes has not given him more of an opportunity. He has proved in Europe that he can do it from the start.”
Time to throw him in
Hailed as an ‘exciting’ player by former Leeds striker Noel Whelan, Cornet averaged 0.46 goals per 90 minutes last season in the top flight.
That tally would have seen him rank first at West Ham in 2021/22, with Jarrod Bowen leading the way in that particular metric (0.36).
The 29-cap Ivory Coast ace is still looking prominent since his move to east London and is averaging 0.73 expected goals per 90 in the Premier League, some way ahead of the Irons’ next best in that regard (Tomas Soucek with 0.19), so perhaps it won’t be much longer until Cornet is given an opportunity from the off in a West Ham shirt in the English top flight.
