West Ham’s Dawson heir could be Forbes

West Ham United defender Craig Dawson has little doubt been probably the most astute items of enterprise that the membership have made in latest occasions, with the Englishman having gone from unglamorous addition to cult hero throughout his time on the London Stadium.

The 32-year-old was initially snapped up by David Moyes and co on a temporary deal again in the summertime of 2020, earlier than the previous Watford man in the end secured a everlasting transfer to east London for a reported payment of simply £2m a 12 months later.

That determine has gone on to seem a complete cut price such has been the influence that the one-time West Bromwich Albion man has made for the Hammers thus far, with BBC pundit Steve Sidwell (5 Reside, 09/10/2022, 14:25) notably stating that: “When it comes to worth for cash, I feel he’s one of many Premier League’s greats”.

One thing of a defensive “warrior”, in keeping with his supervisor, the £45k-per-week colossus has been a key determine for the Irons in latest seasons, racking up 80 appearances throughout all fronts so far – netting a formidable 9 objectives in that point.

The £2.7m-rated titan was additionally central to the membership’s Europa League run final season having been named within the UEFA Team of the Season because of this, whereas two of West Ham’s three Premier League wins this season have include Dawson within the facet – the one league outings he has made this time period.

Moyes’ males are seemingly struggling because of the versatile gem’s present injury woes which have hampered him thus far, though the membership are possible grateful that he’s nonetheless on their books, with the Rochdale-born monster having been close to a transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers over the summer season, which is nearer his Manchester dwelling.

With just below a 12 months left on his existing deal the 6 foot 2 brute nonetheless faces one thing of an unsure future in his present environment, nevertheless, with the Irons more likely to want to start out making ready for all times with out the participant on the membership.

In want of a possible inheritor to Dawson, one potential resolution may nicely be that of teenage star Michael Forbes, with the 18-year-old at present impressing within the membership’s youth ranks, having joined from Dungannon again in July 2020.

A part of an thrilling crop of Northern Irish expertise within the Hammers’ academy at current – alongside the likes of Patrick Kelly and Callum Marshall – the centre-back was handed a primary professional deal on the membership on the finish of final season, as an indication of the undoubted expertise that he possesses.

Talking after agreeing to that new contract, the promising teenager even in contrast himself to Dawson as a first-team participant he may doubtlessly emulate, explaining his reasoning why by stating “as a result of he likes to sort out and head the ball, and I love to do the identical”.

The Northern Eire youth worldwide – who can even function at left-back – has racked up 12 appearances in all competitions up to now this time period, together with three outings for the U21 facet within the EFL trophy.

Forbes has averaged a formidable match score of seven.23, as per SofaScore, in that competitors thus far – the third-highest amongst his younger teammates – averaging two tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 5.7 clearances per sport.

A participant seemingly eager to place himself on the road for his facet – very like the old-school Dawson – the rising starlet may nicely be a doubtlessly good match for Moyes’ facet within the coming years.