Callum Wilson’s arrival at West Ham has been mixed so far. The transfer was heavily criticised by some supporters in the summer, due to the striker's age, ongoing injury issues and the fact that the club were shopping in the free agent window for a much needed position.
However, there was a big IF too. That if Callum Wilson could stay fit, he is a proven Premier League goalscorer on a pay-as-you-play contract and would bring much-needed experience and goals to the forward line. He impacted the game brilliantly against Nottingham Forest off the bench, scoring his first goal for the club, which left fans calling for him to make his first start against Spurs and Crystal Palace over Fullkrug.
However, questions are now being raised too about whether the 33-year-old still has what it takes at this level after the weekend's performance and result.
Deeney’s Verdict
Speaking on talkSPORT’s Final Word, Troy Deeney admitted it was “sad” to see his friend decline the way he has. He quoted the following:
“It was sad watching him play. His body, it’s just gone now, it’s gone. He was quick, he was rapid, but I think he had a couple of moments in that game where the old Callum would have run away from people, and he just can’t do it anymore.”
Deeney’s honesty echoes what many fans would have also seen at the London Stadium on Saturday against Crystal Palace. There were times where the old Callum Wilson would've broke away and been through on goal 1v1, most likely scoring against West Ham, but on Saturday there were multiple occasions where it was clear that he now lacks that burst of pace to get away from defenders.
Deeney also implied this problem goes beyond Wilson. If your main forward isn’t delivering or physically isn’t what he once was, what does that say about recruitment, fitness, backup depth? And what about expectation management from the owners, the board, the manager?
Blame on the Board
The criticism isn’t only aimed at Wilson. The bigger issue lies with the board. David Sullivan opted for the cheap option and gambled that it would pay off. Whilst Wilson has managed to keep himself fit so far, West Ham’s only senior striker are Wilson, at 33 and with a history of injuries, and Niclas Fullkrug, at 32, who has also faced fitness concerns in a West Ham shirt.
Chairman David Sullivan took the decision to back those two as the club’s frontline strikers for the season. With Wilson struggling to cope physically like Troy Deeney says and Fullkrug yet to find a real rhythm in a claret and blue shirt, West Ham are left dangerously short up front. Callum Marshall impressed during pre-season and has scored 3 goals in 2 games for the U21s so far this season. It may just be that Graham Potter or the next manager through the door turns their attention to the youth instead for an injection of pace to the front-line.
