With reports that Manuel Pellegrini could reintroduce West Ham United youngster Sean Haksabanovic to his first-team plans following a loan spell in Sweden, some fans have been offering differing views on the prospect.
Claret and Hugh claimed on Thursday that West Ham boss Pellegrini and Director of Football Mario Husillos have been closely monitoring Haksabanovic’s progress while on loan at IFK Norrkoping, and have been impressed by what the wide midfielder has displayed in the Allsvenskan.
The 20-year-old joined Norrkoping on an 18-month loan deal in January, having been recalled from his spell in Spain with Malaga, where he made just two outings in La Liga 2 during the first half of the 2018/19 campaign.
Haksabanovic instantly cemented a role for himself in the Norrkoping line-up once the Swedish season began in March, and has hit a terrific vein of form in his last nine outings with five goals and six assists helping to seven wins (TransferMarkt).
Should the Halmstads BK product, who moved to West Ham for around £2.7million (Standard) in 2017, maintain his recent form over the coming months, it is suggested Pellegrini will recall the midfielder so that he can play a part in his first-team plans come 2020.
Word that the five-cap Montenegro international’s best days in Claret and Blue may still be to come has excited some West Ham fans, with one noting Haksabanovic has a ‘big future’ and another suggesting he could see the untapped potential in the midfielder’s pre-season outings last year.
Here are some of the messages shared:
I’d like to see him around the squad, big future
— LasVegasWestHamUtd (@WestHaminVegas) October 11, 2019
Big fan of this idea, could see something was there last preseason.
— Rob Waldon WHUFC ? (@RobWaldon) October 10, 2019
Still have a lot of faith in #SuperSead
— Joshua (@jahkavaman) October 10, 2019
Thought he looked very good when he played in the cup a couple of years ago
— Mills ? (@gtmills) October 11, 2019
The suggestion that Pellegrini could recall Haksabanovic from his loan spell six-months early has seen some West Ham fans focus on other youth players currently away from East London, as well.
For some, they would like to see players like Martin Samuelsen given a chance to break into the Hammers’ senior fold, given his efforts for loan side FK Haugesund in the Norwegian Eliteserien.
The 22-year-old has scored 12 times and assisted a further two in 39 games across all competitions this season (TransferMarkt), but is thought to have reached the end of his time with West Ham, after Claret and Hugh suggested the Irons are ready to allow the forward to leave for nominal fee or cancel his contract in January after receiving no offers for the 2020-free agent.
Good I hope he comes back and smashes it, but what of Samuelson?? He’s scoring a few again now? Also wasn’t it Pellegrini that decided to let Samuelson go when manager of City?
— Ian (@IanGravett) October 10, 2019
We need some depth for wide players anyway and can’t be worse than Snoddy and Fornals out wide
— Boris (@AlfieJohnson7) October 10, 2019
What’s wrong with Samuelsen? ??????
— Dunc9 (@WHU99) October 10, 2019
A few West Ham fans have also voiced excitement in the prospect of Haksabanovic being recalled for his efforts with loan side Norrkoping, as they feel he has been the Allsvenskan side’s best player this term.
The 5ft 7″ midfielder, capable of playing on either wing or in a central supporting role, current ranks fourth among the Norrkoping first-team for goals scored, and leads his temporary teammates for assists with three more than second-best man Simon Thern.
Haksabanovic has also seen just one yellow card in his 26 league outings and has only sat out one fixture all season so far.
He has been their best player
— Oscar? (@oscar_04lil) October 11, 2019