Why West Ham signing Robert Skov would be a massive boost
Back in March 2019, a report from Sky Sports had mentioned West Ham among the potential suitors for Danish winger Robert Skov, who was plying his trade with Copenhagen in his homeland back then. Wolves, Watford and Tottenham were also understood to be keeping close tabs on the Dane but he eventually completed a move to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
Profile
Robert Skov started his professional career with Silkeborg IF in the Danish top-flight during the 2012-13 season, making his debut against Midtjylland in May 2013. He gradually established himself as one of the hottest young talents in his homeland and went on to make 106 appearances for Silkeborg over four-and-a-half years, registering 23 goals and 20 assists.
The 24-year-old was snapped up by domestic giants Copenhagen in January 2018 and he went on to plunder 29 league goals during the 2018-19 campaign. In doing so, Skov not only finished as the top-scorer in the division but also broke the all-time Danish Superligaen record for the highest number of goals in a single season.
Skov’s heroics earned him a move abroad to Hoffenheim in the summer of 2019 and the Dane went on to enjoy a productive debut season in the German Bundesliga. The left-footed ace has bagged 4 goals and 11 assists in 41 appearances for Hoffenheim in all competitions so far, despite being deployed in a wing-back role.
Skov would add more depth to West Ham’s attack
West Ham roped in Said Benrahma on loan from Brentford ahead of the domestic deadline to bolster their attacking firepower. The Hammers have an obligation to sign the Algerian international permanently in a deal that could rise to £25million with a further £5million in add-ons.
Benrahma is yet to start a league fixture for West Ham, although David Moyes showed signs of gradually phasing him into the first-team mix heading into the international break.
The 25-year-old’s arrival at the London Stadium has undoubtedly handed a real boost to the club’s wide attacking options but the Hammers should continue to look for more talent when the market reopens in January.
Robert Snodgrass (33) and Andriy Yarmolenko (31) are not getting any younger, with neither player particularly favoured as a regular starter by Moyes.
Felipe Anderson joined Porto on loan in the summer after being deemed surplus to requirements following a lacklustre campaign last time around. West Ham also decided to cash in on highly-rated academy graduate Grady Diangana, who joined West Brom permanently.
Anderson’s departure has forced the manager to deploy Pablo Fornals in a wide role on the left and while the Spaniard has done a decent job, his best qualities are surely utilised down the middle. Suffice to say, the Hammers need another specialist winger to compete with Jarrod Bowen and Benrahma for a place in Moyes’ set-up.
Putting things into context, West Ham making a renewed attempt to sign Robert Skov in January would definitely represent a step in the right direction. Moyes has made a genuine attempt to build a young squad in his own image and the 24-year-old would fit the bill at the London Stadium as an excellent signing with one eye on the future.
Skov has made a seamless transition to the Bundesliga after proving himself to be a cut above the rest at Copenhagen in Denmark. He has been transformed into a left wing-back to suit Hoffenheim’s system but remains a specialist winger capable of operating on either side of the pitch and also through the middle in a No.10 role.
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Verdict
Robert Skov has progressed by leaps and bounds over the past two years, making a big impression in one of the elite leagues in Europe.
The 24-year-old still has his best years ahead of him and would offer Moyes a lot of tactical versatility at the London Stadium. With West Ham still looking to reshape their squad, bringing in a quality young talent like Skov would definitely put them in good stead for the foreseeable future.