WATFORD, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Craig Dawson of Watford controls the ball while in the air during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Southampton FC at Vicarage Road on June 28, 2020 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
According to The Sun, West Ham are looking to make a final push to land a defender as they set their sights on Craig Dawson. The club tried to secure at least one central defender in the last month with bids for the likes of James Tarkowski and last-ditch loan offers for Fikayo Tomori.
They have been long-time admirers of Dawson and will be hoping to get something over the line before 16th October, which is the domestic window deadline.
Craig Dawson is a 30-year-old English defender who plays for Championship side Watford. He started his career at Radcliffe Borough in 2007 before moving to Rochdale after two seasons. Spending the next year at Rochdale, he was signed by West Brom in 2010.
He was immediately sent back to Rochdale on loan for the season though. Another loan spell to Bolton Wanderers followed. However, it was not until 2014 that Dawson started getting a good run of games. In total, he made 225 appearances for the Baggies while scoring 15 goals and 12 assists (source – Transfermarkt).
He left for Watford last season and went on to play 31 times for them. Dawson has 16 appearances for the England U-21 side but is yet to appear for the senior team.
West Ham have had long-standing defensive problems and that led to their bottom-half finish last season. It is very clear that their current crop of central defenders are below par, except for Issa Diop.
Just one good defender cannot hold the fort down and needs an equally capable partner to stem the opposition. The likes of Ogbonna and Balbuena have failed to impress alongside Diop.
Dawson comes in with years of experience in the Premier League. He has been reliable if not spectacular over the years. Alongside Diop, he can be the perfect foil. Diop is young but has potential but he needs a stable partner.
Craig Dawson might not have been the first option in the market for the Hammers but he looks like a good option at this point. He is one of the few decent defenders in the Championship that would suit the Hammers. His ability to chip in with goals and assists would also be an added bonus for David Moyes. Considering all those factors, Craig Dawson would be a very useful signing for West Ham.
