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      Algerian wizard has stepped up to Premier League

      What can Hammers fans expect from Benrahma?

      2020/10/21 11:27
      E0

      After dazzling in the Championship with Brentford, 25-year-old Said Benrahma signed for West Ham on deadline day, a £4million loan fee also including an option to sign the Algerian permanently for £26 million at the end of this season. In this article, Playmaker’s Nathan John takes a look at what Hammers fans can expect from an undoubtedly exciting talent.


      Linked with a host of Premier League clubs throughout the transfer window, Said Benrahma eventually committed his future to West Ham on deadline day in a deal that will no doubt get Hammers fans' pulses racing. 

      After excelling in the Championship with upwardly mobile Brentford, Benrahma has earned his move on the back of consistently producing the goods for the Bees and his first taste of Premier League football will see him involved in some capacity in West Ham's forthcoming fixtures against Manchester City and champions Liverpool.

      From the start of the 2018/19 season onwards, the Algerian has been the most productive player in the Championship with an impressive 50 goal involvements, 26 of those coming last season. Interestingly, this is one contribution more than now-Hammers teammate Jarrod Bowen, who signed for the East Londoners back in January of this year.

      Benrahma and Bowen's arrivals signal a potential trend in terms of the Hammers' recruitment strategy - suggesting they intend to cherry pick the top talent from across the Championship, as they had done to some degree with the signings of Robert Snodgrass, Michail Antonio and Ryan Fredericks in previous seasons. 

      Attacking creativity and goals would seem almost a given with Benrahma, although it will certainly be interesting to see if he can replicate his Championship output in the Premier League. 

      ©Getty / Alex Burstow

      Super stats

      A look at Benrahma's statistics from last season show just how dangerous he is.

      He was the fifth top scorer in the division with 17 goals, and ranked 6th in the second tier for assists (9). Furthermore, he recorded more successful dribbles (140) than any player in the Championship, while making the fourth-most key passes (97). 

      What particularly stands out is Benrahma's confidence in his own ability: the Algerian taking more shots (177) than any player in the division last term - 99 of them from outside the box!

      Insiders at Brentford also spoke about the improvements Benrahma made to the defensive side of his game last season, and the stats speak volumes. Only five forwards/attacking midfielders made more tackles than the Algerian (52) in 2019/20, which suggests he has the ability and attitude to also step up off the ball in the Premier League.

      An easy integration?

      All in all, Benrahma looks a real prospect...so where will he fit in at The London Stadium?

      Pundits and Hammers fans alike are intrigued to see how the Algeria international will integrate into the 5-4-1 formation that West Ham boss David Moyes has tended to play this season - Benrahma unsuited to the physical lone striker role that is usually occupied by talisman Antonio or Sebastien Haller.

      It looks likely therefore that Benrahma will either be deployed in an out-and-out 10 role, or out wide in a role similar to that he performed at Brentford. 

      In line to play a part against Manchester City this coming weekend, the top flight awaits to see the impact Benrahma can make - the Hammers in need of additional firepower given the departures of Felipe Anderson (Porto; loan) and Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy), and Haller's ongoing struggle to assert himself at Premier League level. 

      If Benrahma has the confidence and ability to replicate his Championship form on the big stage then West Ham fans have a lot to look forward to. 

      Algeria
      Said Benrahma
      NameSaïd Mohamed Benrahma
      Born/Age1995-08-10(28 -yrs-old)
      Nationality
      Algeria
      Algeria
      Dual Nationality
      France
      France
      PositionForward (Left Wing) / Forward (Right Wing)

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