Noble FURIOUS at West Ham for Selling Their Own ‘Santi Cazorla’ Who is Now Worth a MOUTHWATERING Fee and…..

West Ham’s Sale of Grady Diangana: A Blessing in Disguise? A Comprehensive Analysis

In the 2020 summer transfer window, West Ham United made several significant signings, but one departure stood out – Grady Diangana’s sale to West Bromwich Albion for a reported £18 million. Club legend Mark Noble expressed disappointment and frustration at the time, labeling Diangana “West Ham’s own Cazorla” due to his similarities to Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla.

Diangana’s Early Promise

Former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini had high praise for Diangana, comparing him to Cazorla in 2018. Pellegrini saw immense potential in the young winger, stating, “He has technical ability, a good view of the pitch, and good solutions when he receives the ball.” Diangana’s early performances hinted at a bright future, but ultimately, he failed to live up to expectations.

Diangana’s Career Path Since West Ham

Since joining West Brom, Diangana has made 176 appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 19 assists. While these numbers may seem respectable, his overall impact and consistency have been underwhelming. His value, according to Transfermarkt, has decreased significantly to £3.3 million.

West Ham’s Winger Options: A Comparison

The Hammers have strengthened their winger positions since Diangana’s departure, acquiring:

1. Jarrod Bowen
2. Mohammed Kudus
3. Crysencio Summerville
4. Luis Guilherme

Comparing Diangana’s stats to these players reveals a significant gap in performance:

Goals

• Diangana: 0 goals per 90 minutes
• Bowen: 0.37 goals per 90 minutes
• Kudus: 0.26 goals per 90 minutes
• Summerville: 0.24 goals per 90 minutes

Assists

• Diangana: 0 assists per 90 minutes
• Bowen: 0.19 assists per 90 minutes
• Kudus: 0.13 assists per 90 minutes

Expected Goals (xG)

• Diangana: 0.06 xG per 90 minutes
• Bowen: 0.21 xG per 90 minutes
• Kudus: 0.38 xG per 90 minutes
• Summerville: 0.25 xG per 90 minutes

Progressive Carries

• Diangana: 2.13 progressive carries per 90 minutes
• Bowen: 4.02 progressive carries per 90 minutes
• Kudus: 5.00 progressive carries per 90 minutes
• Summerville: 3.75 progressive carries per 90 minutes

Diangana’s Decline: A Deeper Dive

Diangana ranks last in eight of the nine metrics analyzed, including:

1. Key passes: 0.43 per 90 minutes (lowest among West Ham wingers)
2. Shot-creating actions: 1.91 per 90 minutes (lowest among West Ham wingers)

Conclusion: A Blessing in Disguise?

West Ham’s sale of Grady Diangana, despite initial disappointment, has proven beneficial. The Hammers have strengthened their winger options, with Bowen, Kudus, and Summerville outperforming Diangana. The £18 million received for Diangana has been invested wisely, and the team’s overall performance has improved.