West Ham United claimed a shock 2-0 win over Manchester United to leapfrog the Reds into 15th place on the Premier League log.
The jury is still out on West Ham gaffer Graham Potter, who has only managed four wins in 17 games. However, winning away against Arsenal and Man Utd is impressive.
Potter raised eyebrows with his selection today. The Englishman benched Lucas Paqueta, Niclas Fullkrug, and Emerson Palmieri.
Paqueta’s case is unsurprising, considering his off-field troubles. The Palmieri decision caused quite the stir, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka did well at left-back.
Fullkrug’s omission did not go down well with the fans. The team needs a goalscorer, and the best one on the roster was being wasted on the bench.
Potter claimed he needed a third midfielder and felt the big German could help the team as a substitute.
The writing is on the wall for Fullkrug, who has said on multiple occasions that he did not come to East London to play second fiddle.
Fullkrug will likely look for the exit door this summer, and West Ham must find a replacement. So, who can succeed the 32-year-old?
Emanuel Emegha (Strasbourg)
Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha stands out as a gem in the making after a promising Ligue 1 campaign.
The Dutchman is not the finished article, but his raw pace, power, and movement make him a perfect fit for the Premier League.
Emegha bagged 14 goals and missed 25 big chances in Ligue 1 this term. His numbers will likely explode soon, and West Ham should try to convince him about a move to East London.
His ability to stretch defences and wear down centre-backs shows his all-around value. Emegha is on the verge of a breakout, and securing him now could prove a wise investment.
Liam Delap (Ipswich Town)
At 22, Liam Delap remains a raw talent, but he has already proven he can lead the line in the Premier League.
With Ipswich relegated, his £30 million release clause will be active, sparking interest from Manchester United and Chelsea ahead of the summer window. West Ham should be in the mix.
Delap may have registered just 12 goals and two assists in 35 appearances, but his physicality, aggression, and relentless style make him a nightmare for defenders.
He is on the cusp of a breakout, and West Ham should move quickly to convince him that the London Stadium is the ideal next step in his rise.
Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain)
Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani has seen his stock drop since he joined the Parisians.
However, he is still a top centre-forward, as he is showing at Napoli with seven goals and an assist in 14 Serie A appearances.
Napoli would rather spend their money on another striker, leaving the door open for West Ham to potentially sign the 26-year-old.
West Ham can take him on loan with an option or obligation to buy, testing him in the Premier League before deciding whether to sign him permanently.
Kolo Muani will be desperate to prove his mettle after a damaging tenure with PSG. The Hammers need a hungry striker like the Frenchman to lead the line – a perfect match.
(Stats from Sofascore and Transfermarkt)