Sport nationThe transfer window has closed, and West Ham United can breathe a sigh of relief after dodging a bullet in the form of Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson.
According to reports, Nelson was offered to the Hammers on deadline day, but a late-night change of heart saw him sign for Fulham instead.But that’s not the only twist in this tale. It’s emerged that Nelson had also agreed to join Ipswich Town just an hour before changing his mind and opting for Fulham. It’s clear that Nelson was a man in demand, but West Ham won’t be losing any sleep over missing out on him.Nelson’s struggles for playing time at Arsenal are well-documented.
Despite being a highly-rated youngster, he’s found himself stuck behind a plethora of talented wingers at the Emirates. And with just eight goals and nine assists in 89 games for the Gunners, it’s clear that Nelson has yet to live up to his potential.But it’s not just his lack of productivity that should have given West Ham pause for thought.
Nelson’s injury record is a major concern, with the winger missing significant chunks of time over the past few seasons. And with the Hammers already having a crowded treatment room, they can ill afford to take on another player with a chequered fitness record.Of course, Nelson does possess one attribute that would have been attractive to West Ham: pace. He’s lightning quick, and in a league where speed is king, that’s a valuable asset. But pace alone is not enough to succeed in the Premier League.
Nelson’s lack of creativity and guile in the final third is a major concern, and it’s something that would have frustrated West Ham fans.So, while Nelson may have been a tempting option for West Ham, it’s clear that they made the right decision in not pursuing him. With Kudus, Bowen, and Summerville already on the books, the Hammers have a plethora of talented wingers to choose from. And with Nelson’s injury record and lack of productivity, it’s unlikely that he would have displaced any of those players in the starting lineup.
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