Which Hammer will be the signing of the summer?

As things stand, the Hammers’ faithful should be a fairly happy bunch. Currently lying seventh in the Premier League table, the goals are flying in, entertainment levels are high, and the decision to stand by manager Sam Allardyce is proving to be a wise decision from the board.

The highlight was the 3-1 win over Liverpool and while concerns remain, it’s been a positive start overall and the more optimistic among us would dare to hope for a more comfortable campaign this time around.

Possibilities

Big Sam was busy in the summer transfer window, bringing in several players to bolster the ranks at Upton Park. Considering the early season successes that the Hammers have enjoyed, it proves that the majority of the new boys have settled in well. It would be fanciful to believe that the Irons can lift the Premier League title next May, but the odds of around 20/1 with Betfair on the Hammers finishing in the top six is a possibility, if the early form can be continued. Here we will discuss the merits of some of Allardyce’s new recruits to see which player could turn out to be the signing of the summer.

Impressive start

The early season front-runner for this mythical award must be Senegalese striker Diafra Sakho. The 24-year old frontman joined from French club Metz in the summer for a nominal fee, and has already repaid the faith shown in him by bagging five goals in his first six appearances for the club.

Sakho, impressively, has netted in each of his last four Premier League appearances, which includes strikes against Liverpool and Manchester United. The front man has provided a serious goal threat for a Hammers side that has lacked in that department in recent times, and the Upton Park faithful will be hoping his excellent run of form can continue throughout the season.

Capable performer

One of the finest pieces of business by Allardyce in the most recent window was to snare Alex Song from Barcelona on a season-long loan deal. The 27-year old Cameroon International has seen limited match-time in Spain, so a move back to the Premier League – and London - with West Ham does seem a very logical choice.

Song has played in the last four matches for the Irons and has performed capably without necessarily excelling in a holding midfield role. His experience will prove invaluable over the coming months though, and the will be a key man in protecting the Hammers’ back line.

Biggest splash

West Ham’s biggest splash of the summer window was on the Ecuadorian World Cup star Enner Valencia, who arrived from Mexican club Pachuca for £12m and the striker was soon taken to the hearts of the Hammers faithful with a wonder-strike at Hull City on debut.

Things have gone a little quiet since for the 24-year old attacker, but Valencia netted three goals on International duty recently to boost his confidence levels. His direct style of play and unpredictability, and hopefully goals, will surely make him a firm favourite at Upton Park this season.

Bargain purchase

Aaron Cresswell arrived in June from Championship side Ipswich for a nominal fee, and is another player who is proving to be a bargain purchase by Sam Allardyce. Cresswell has slotted in nicely in his left-back role, and has played every minute of West Ham’s first seven matches this season. The 24-year old Englishman dispels the notion that Premier League talent cannot be found in the lower divisions, and he looks to have made his position in the side secure, barring injury.

No stranger

Frenchman, Morgan Amalfitano is no stranger to the Premier League after spending a season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion, before agreeing to join West Ham from parent-club, Marseille. The tricky wide-man settled well into life in England last season with some excellent performances for the Baggies, which obviously persuaded Allardyce to hijack a deal for the 29-year old.

Amalfitano netted his first goal in the 3-1 home win over Liverpool last month but is yet to nail down a regular starting berth under Big Sam. However, the French star will be an important squad player at Upton Park this season.

We will only know the answer to the question that this article poses when the season draws to an end but few would argue that the club haven’t made some shrewd purchases ahead of the new season. The highlight of 2013-14 was undoubtedly the treble over Spurs and while the chance of a repeat has already gone, surely we would swap that for a more productive overall campaign and the new faces at Upton Park are set to provide just that.

At the moment, Diafra Sakho is the man in possession of this hypothetical trophy but hopefully Enner Valencia will prove to be just as prolific as the season develops.

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