West Ham United already faced a difficult decision over El Hadji Malick Diouf, but Nuno Espírito Santo’s team selection at Burnley may have made a potential £40million sale even harder to justify.
Ollie Scarles was preferred to Diouf for Sunday’s Championship opener at Turf Moor, keeping his place after starting the Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth.
For much of the afternoon, the decision worked. Scarles competed well on the left and even produced an important goal-line clearance before one mistimed challenge changed the direction of the contest.
Marcus Edwards drew the foul, Zian Flemming converted the resulting penalty and Burnley eventually recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2. Scarles was replaced by Diouf four minutes later. The Guardian’s live coverage described the penalty as the moment that gave Burnley their route back into the game.
Malick Diouf decision looks different after Burnley
None of that should become an argument for blaming Scarles.
The 20-year-old had produced a largely encouraging performance before the penalty and has earned Nuno’s trust through his development over the past year.
ReadWestHam previously covered how Manchester United had assessed Scarles without advancing their interest, while his increasing senior role has given West Ham another genuine academy success story.
But Sunday’s game also demonstrated the danger of assuming his emergence automatically makes Diouf expendable.
Brentford have been preparing an improved offer that could reach £40m for the Senegal international after an earlier proposal was rejected. TalkSPORT reported that West Ham had initially insisted Diouf was not for sale.
ReadWestHam covered that first approach when Brentford submitted an offer for Diouf and discussions began between the clubs.
The calculation now goes beyond whether £40m represents good business.
Selling Diouf would put huge pressure on Scarles
Diouf and Scarles give Nuno two contrasting options on the same side.
Diouf provides greater explosiveness and attacking delivery, while Scarles has developed as a more conventional defender capable of playing in a back four or further forward.
That competition is particularly valuable in a 46-match Championship campaign.
West Ham have already lost significant senior quality this summer. Asking Scarles to suddenly become the undisputed first-choice option would remove some of the protection which has allowed him to develop gradually.
There is also no guarantee West Ham could replace Diouf cheaply.
The Hammers paid more than £20m to bring him to east London last summer and his age, Premier League experience and international pedigree have helped attract top-flight interest.
Nuno clearly trusts Scarles. Starting him at Turf Moor ahead of Diouf provided the strongest evidence of that yet.
However, trust in one young player does not automatically make another valuable player surplus to requirements.
Burnley showed both sides of the argument in the same afternoon. Scarles demonstrated why West Ham believe they have a serious first-team defender, then experienced the sort of costly moment every young player will encounter.
If Brentford return with £40m, West Ham therefore have a decision bigger than simply accepting a sizeable profit.
They must decide whether weakening one of the few positions where Nuno currently has genuine competition is worth the money.
