With Enner Valencia now out for up to three months and Andy Carroll remaining in a state of persistent injury, West Ham’s striking options have taken a battering of late.
Although the likes of Diafra Sakho, Mauro Zarate and even Modibo Maiga remain, the Irons are looking short of firepower as the new season approaches, which is far from ideal given that Europa League football is still on the agenda.
Thus, a new forward is the transfer priority to cap what has been an impressive summer in East London, and two names, Javier Hernandez and Charlie Austin, dominate the running. Although opinion among the fans is divided and both players offer very different approaches, the pair look like appealing options right now.
So which one should the Hammers be going for? Well, we at FFC Towers have had a look at each star’s suitability, value, availability and goalscoring prowess to ease a decision…
Suitability
Hernandez: Although a dangerous penalty area striker, the one doubt about Hernandez has always centred on his ability to lead the line.
The Mexican is by no means a poor passer of the ball, but his ability to bring team-mates into play is often hampered by his desire to get on the end of chances and run in behind, while his lack of physicality allows defenders to dominate him and force him out of games. In a front two he can be deadly, but how often do sides deploy a 4-4-2 of a 3-4-1-2 formation nowadays?
The Hammers used a 4-4-2 diamond for some of the opening months of last season to great effect, but new boss Slaven Bilic has approached his time at the club so far with a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 approach, suggesting that a two-man frontline is not in his thinking. However, ‘Chicharito’ could be an option from the bench.
Austin: Unlike Hernandez, Austin is suited to leading the line alone. Although far from being a barrel-chested target man, the Englishman can put himself about and has a greater level of tenacity to his all-round game. He’s also adept at chasing lost causes and running the channels, which is vital when up front alone.
Austin has made his name through the lower reaches of the Football League and hasn’t had the luxury of playing for a side of United’s stature, so he appears to offer more guarantees than Hernandez.
Value for money
Hernandez: An improved £11.9m offer is understood to have been lodged by West Ham for Hernandez. Such a figure for a striker with Premier League experience who was playing in the Champions League semi-finals last season looks to be a snip, and to an extent he does offer value for money.
‘Chicharito’ is by no means an all-round forward, but he offers goals and with prices inflating, he could prove to be bargain.
Austin: The latest reports suggest that QPR are willing to do business for around £15m. With English talent always the subject of inflated price-tags, a figure in this region is not dreadful for West Ham, but with Austin in the final 12 months of his contract such a sum could be considered to be a little steep.
Alas, for the money the Hammers would be getting a player with genuine hope of playing for the Three Lions in the coming few months, while at 26 (his birthday was just under a month ago) there is the potential to sell him on for a profit within the next few years.
Goalscoring potential
Hernandez: ‘Chicharito’s’ football currency has always been goals. What he lacks in all-round ability he makes up for with an uncanny ability to pop up in the right place at the right time.
He’s spent much of his United career as a peripheral figure, but in his 102 league outings the Mexican has netted almost 40 goals, which is a fine return. Last season in La Liga with Real Madrid he registered seven goals in just 859 minutes of play.
Austin: 18 goals in his debut Premier League campaign with the side that finished rock-bottom of the division is some going. Austin was the only ray of light in an otherwise dark and dismal campaign at Loftus Road, and his form even earned him an England call-up in May – albeit he didn’t feature in the friendly against the Republic or Ireland of the EURO 2016 qualification clash with Slovenia.
With Swindon Town, Burnley and QPR, Austin has maintained a better than one-in-two average strike rate.
Availability
Hernandez: Although he’s seemingly been deemed surplus to requirements at United in the past, the lack of options at Old Trafford could result in Louis van Gaal backtracking on his previous moves to offload Hernandez.
The Dutchman has already talked up his Mexican star, and with ‘Chicharito’ the only experienced back-up option to Wayne Rooney, his future may hinge on additions at Old Trafford.
Austin: “People are very interested. We know it’s a financial situation where the players, given the right offer, will probably go.” QPR boss Chris Ramsey’s admission says it all: ‘Pay the money and Austin is yours’.
Perhaps the major issue could be rival interest from sides such as Newcastle, but with West Ham’s London base set to cut out the hassle of relocating and Europa League football on the agenda – for now, at least – the Irons could be a tempting option.
Verdict
With Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia both injured and Carlton Cole no longer around, it’s pretty clear that Bilic needs another striker. Both Hernandez and Austin offer very different skill-sets, but, most importantly, both are goalscorers. On the whole the Englishman looks to be the better option in terms of approach and style, with leading the line alone likely to be on the agenda in East London.
