They might be in the relegation zone and have a single win from their last five Premier League games, but the future could be bright for West Ham United.
Granted, things off the pitch and the relationship between the ownership and fans are in a dire state, but with Nuno Espírito Santo now in the dugout, there is a feeling that he could steer the side to a respectable finish this season.
Moreover, while they have not performed well enough, there is real talent in this squad, with summer signing Soungoutou Magassa being someone who could explode with the right coaching.
On top of that, there are several truly exciting players in the academy, including one who could be unreal with the Frenchman and has been compared to former Hammer Mohamed Diamé.
Why West Ham signed Magassa
In late August, West Ham completed the £17.3m signing of Magassa, and while it was undoubtedly done with the intention of him making an impact this season, it also feels like a move that could help make the midfield so much better in the long term.
The simple reason for this is that the incredible Frenchman is brilliant when it comes to the defensive and offensive side of the game – he is someone who can shield the backline, but also spring attacks for his side.
For example, the respected analyst Ben Mattinson has claimed that the Stains-born gem has an immense ability to “spray passes wide out to the wings” but that he’s also got very “high potential” for playing as a six “due to how he reads the game and his pure athleticism.”
Likewise, U23 scout Antonio Mango has highlighted how “strong in both offensive and defensive duels” the youngster is.
This ability to excel in both parts of the game is unsurprisingly represented in his underlying numbers.
Dribbles Challenged
3.59
Top 1%
Dribblers Tackled
1.80
Top 2%
Blocks
2.07
Top 2%
Ball Recoveries
6.98
Top 3%
Passes Blocked
1.52
Top 4%
Tkl+Int
4.84
Top 4%
Tackles
3.25
Top 6%
Interceptions
1.59
Top 7%
Switches
0.76
Top 8%
Tackles (Def 3rd)
1.38
Top 8%
Through Balls
0.41
Top 11%
Tackles (Att 3rd)
0.48
Top 11%
Shots Blocked
0.55
Top 12%
Tackles (Mid 3rd)
1.38
Top 14%
Touches (Def 3rd)
17.28
Top 14%
Touches (Def Pen)
3.59
Top 15%
Successful Take-On %
61.9%
Top 15%
Goals/Shot
0.13
Top 17%
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for dribblers tackled and blocks, the top 3% for ball recoveries, the top 8% for switches, the top 11% for through balls and more, all per 90.
In short, Magassa is an excellent prospect, and in more good news, West Ham could have another gem who’d be brilliant alongside him, someone who has been compared to Diame.
West Ham's ideal teammate for Magassa
There are several exciting prospects currently plying their trade in West Ham’s academy, from Josh Landers to Preston Fearon.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
However, only one youngster has been compared to former Hammer Diame, which is Mohamadou Kanté.
The promising Frenchman joined the club from Paris FC last summer, but remained in the French capital for the season, where he made eight appearances in what turned out to be a promotion-winning campaign.
Described as having “good anticipation” and being “very calm and composed on the ball” by one analyst, another has been bolder, claiming he “moves like Mo Diame.”
The argument behind such a comparison is that, like the retired midfielder, the youngster has “long-ranging legs that eat up ground & extend to win the ball off the toes of the opposition.”
However, he’s more than just a tenacious ball-winner, with the same analyst highlighting his “nibble feet & intelligent, composed passing.”
It’s the combination of all these traits that have seen him rack up an impressive tally of two goals and two assists in just eight appearances for the U21s so far this season.
Moreover, as he’s comfortable playing in central and defensive midfield, he could end up being a brilliant partner for Magassa, with one driving forward and the other sitting back to help the defence.
Ultimately, it’s still early in his West Ham career, but Kante looks to be a real star in the making.
