After smashing Leroy Rosenior’s 26-yearold goalscoring record against Manchester United last month, Diafra Sakho not only announced himself to the Premier League but also confirmed he was one of the bargain buys this summer
He followed up his fourth goal in four starts at Old Trafford by nodding in a fifth in five starts against QPR earlier this month and I believe he has the potential to smash 20 goals for West Ham to push us to the top 10. Looking back, it’s not hard to see why so many eyebrows were raised when his move to Upton Park was confirmed in August. He had never experienced a top flight fixture before and had joined from French club Metz, with whom he won promotion to Ligue One last season – hardly stuff to inspire confidence.
But after scoring on his first start against Sheffield United in the Capital One Cup, the Senegalese striker has not looked back and formed a fantastic partnership with fellow summer signing Enner Valencia. The duo caused Hull City’s defence all sorts of problems and Sakho followed his goal at the KC Stadium with another superb display against Liverpool.
Once again, Sakho and Valencia linked up as though they had played alongside each other throughout their careers and Sakho also showed his brilliance as he cleverly chipped a helpless Simon Mignolet to put West Ham 2-0 up inside seven minutes. Valencia and Sakho are a real threat going forward, with the two boasting pace, energy and flair. They are every opposition’s worst nightmare because they give defenders all sorts of problems.
Sakho has, quite simply, made the best start to life in East London. He couldn’t have dreamed for better and has quickly become a fans’ favourite with his never-say-die attitude, clever runs and fantastic energy off the ball. It looks as though the 24-year-old has a bright future ahead of him at the club and if he keeps scoring, it would seem as though Andy Carroll may struggle to force his way back into the starting XI when he recovers from his latest injury.
Sakho is full of confidence, playing without fear and if his attitude remains the same then West Ham will reap the rewards for years to come.
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