OPINION
With so many attacking options now at the London Stadium courtesy of West Ham’s transfer blast this summer, Manuel Pellegrini has a tough decision to make when it comes to choosing who will be part of his squad for the upcoming season.
The likes of Andriy Yarmalenko, Felipe Anderson and now Lucas Perez have joined Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic, as well as the other options, in bolstering the forward line, leaving the Hammers looking a potent threat to their Premier League rivals for the upcoming campaign.
Of course, new recruits means more competition for the existing options, and it appears to have resulted in Robert Snodgrass being deemed surplus to requirements once again.
The Mirror are claiming that the Irons are set to green light his temporary exit before the end of August – when the loan window shuts for league sides – and that Aston Villa are plotting to reunite with their former loanee after impressing last season.
However, the Scottish international has proven he has what it takes to be a member of the West Ham squad during pre-season, impressing in friendly matches, and a loan exit just does not solve the issue if the Hammers want him off the books.
Either he needs to be playing at the London Stadium, which might be a tough ask considering the new arrivals, or he should have been shipped out permanently.
After his displays in the preparations for the new campaign, keeping him on board is a wise move, but Pellegrini has made a grave error if he loans him out again.