The Premier League season kicks off this weekend and West Ham United have been shrewd in their business throughout the summer window.
David Moyes has brought in Alphonse Areola on a permanent basis, also signing youngster Flynn Downes, Nayef Aguerd and most recently a striker in Gianluca Scamacca, bolstering the squad all over the pitch for the 2022/23 season.
However, he is yet to sign a winger this summer, and having been linked with a few talented wide players, they appear to have finally agreed on their man.
On Thursday, Sky Sports reported that West Ham had met Burnley’s £17.5m release clause for Maxwel Cornet, seemingly beating the likes of Everton and Newcastle United.
Once this deal is finalised, Moyes will have upgrades across his entire line-up who can hopefully propel the Hammers further up the Premier League table. With the Ivory Coast left winger seemingly set to link up with Jarrod Bowen on the other flank, the two could form a dream partnership at the London Stadium.
Journalist Casey Evans recently dubbed Cornet a “wonderful football player”, and with Jurgen Klopp labelling Bowen “unbelievable”, it is clear that the two are already highly regarded amongst media and managers in the country.
Is Maxwel Cornet a good West Ham signing?
To combine their talents is a frightening prospect for the rest of the league, adding the Ivorian’s nine league goals from last season to Bowen’s outstanding haul of 12 goals and 12 assists.
Cornet scored some absolute screamers last term, and this wildcard element alongside the dependable goalscoring nature of the England winger offers a variety of threats for opposition defenders.
The £44k-per-week “talent” – as dubbed by journalist Robin Bairner – had an expected goals (xG) of just 6.71, meaning that his actual goal tally was a 2.29 overperformance. Whilst some might read this as a negative, his willingness to shoot (and often score) from the craziest of positions further emphasises him as a renegade attacking option.
The two also boast fine defensive statistics, with their offensive output complemented by a willingness to get stuck in.
Cornet averaged 1.13 tackles and 0.84 clearances per game in 2021/22, whilst Bowen offered up 1.08 interceptions and 1.39 blocks per match. They are not defensive wingers, but they will do the off-the-ball work for their team when required.
Both wingers could improve even further under Moyes’ leadership, and if the Ivorian’s proposed move to West Ham goes through, he and fellow 25-year-old Bowen could form a partnership which can terrorise Premier League full-backs for many years to come.
