West Ham have given Fulham permission to speak to both Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil, and I understand the pair will have a medical today with a view to signing a deal with the Cottagers. I think this is a good move for all concerned, though one departure saddens me more than the other.
Bobby Z didn’t have the best of starts at the club but a couple of seasons ago, he came alive. Not only did he score the goal that secured our place in the Premiership, he followed that up two seasons later with some crucial goals in our relegation run-in, including a beauty at the Emirates which will live long in the memory. Last season, he was severely restricted by injury, which allowed Carlton Cole to step into his shoes. When he did return, Bobby always looked enthusiastic but still had the capability to frustrate by losing the ball or not converting easy chances. £4/5m would be a good return on the player who we got as part of the Defoe deal and a first choice opportunity at Fulham will probably see the boy do good in the long term. With Bellamy and Ashton both returning to fitness, this was probably not going to happen for him at Upton Park.
The departure of Pantsil is less troubling, although it leaves us with less cover at right back. Although he has attained cult status at Upton Park, his distribution can be poor and concentration questionable. We’ll lose a character but not much else.
Both players can expect a warm reception when they return to the ground, but like I say, they are both far from irreplaceable.
The club are also rumoured to have turned down £4.5m for George McCartney. I think that number represents a bit of a ‘tipping point’, if they were to up it but half a million, I think it will be too good an offer to turn down. I thought Macca was great last season but is likewise not irreplaceable and Nicky Shorey could potentially be his replacement. £5m would be good business for a decent full back, though ideally he’ll continue to be part of the squad.
