West Ham attacking midfielder Said Benrahma could be at risk of losing his place in the team this season, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.
What did Brown say about Benrahma?
The 11-cap international, who is valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt, has started all four of West Ham's league games so far this term, playing his part in the side's unbeaten start to the campaign.
However, the Irons completed the signing of Nikola Vlasic on deadline day last month, and Brown feels that Benrahma could be the player to make way for him if the Croat starts to impress David Moyes in training.
He told GIVEMESPORT: “I’ve never been entirely sold on Benrahma. I think he’s improved a lot, and a lot of West Ham fans, I think, wanted him in the team a bit quicker. But when he did go in the team, I’m not sure he really pulled up that many trees.
“He’s learnt now what Moyes wants from his players, and he’s been more productive, but I do think that he’s the one you could see slipping out if Vlasic proves himself in training.”
How has Benrahma performed so far this season?
As Brown alluded to, Benrahma had a quiet start to his West Ham career last season. The 26-year-old did not score his first league goal for Moyes' men until May.
However, he has come flying out of the blocks this season. In West Ham's opening game, he scored a goal and provided an assist as the team came from behind to claim a 4-2 win against Newcastle.
Clearly full of confidence, he followed that up by grabbing another goal and assist in the side's next game as they thrashed Leicester 4-1 at the London Stadium. This means that he has been directly involved in four goals in as many top-flight matches in 2021/22.
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Would it be harsh on Benrahma if he loses his place in the starting XI?
West Ham have picked up where they left off last season, and Benrahma has been a big part of their success in the opening weeks of the campaign. Therefore, it could be argued that he would be unfortunate if Moyes does decide to bring Vlasic into the side at his expense.
Then again, the Algerian playmaker has not been involved in a goal in the last two games, and he was hauled off just after the hour mark in the goalless draw against Southampton, indicating that his influence has already begun to wane after a blistering start to the season.
This may be something to keep an eye on, as if Benrahma continues to struggle to make an impact in the coming weeks, it could then make more sense for Moyes to try something different by playing Vlasic instead.