Why Matthew Bondswell would be a good long-term signing for West Ham
According to claims from Football Insider (h/t MSN), West Ham are on the verge of completing a deal for highly-rated teenager RB Leipzig left-back Matthew Bondswell.
As per the report, the Hammers have already agreed on a deal with the German Bundesliga outfit to bring Bondswell back to England.
Profile
Matthew Bondswell spent eight years in the youth ranks of Nottingham Forest between 2010 and 2018. He never made a competitive appearance for the Reds but his potential at the youth level prompted RB Leipzig to snap him up.
However, the 18-year-old hasn’t really had the privilege of enjoying a quicker route to first-team football in Germany, thanks to Leipzig’s plethora of talents at the back. Bondswell joined FC Dordrecht in the Dutch second-tier to further his development this past summer and has made 7 senior appearances so far.
Bondswell has also represented England at U-17 and U-18 levels and was a part of the side that competed at the 2019 UEFA European U-17 Championship.
Cresswell successor?
West Ham’s interest in signing a new left-back has been well-documented in the January window. Brentford’s Rico Henry has been mentioned as a potential target while the Hammers are also understood to be vying for the signature of Brandon Williams on loan from Man United.
In footballing terms, it’s pretty easy to figure out where those links come from. Aaron Cresswell has flourished as a regular starter in that position this season. But with the former England international already 31, the Hammers certainly need to have an eye on younger alternatives in the market.
Arthur Masuaku has also enjoyed a rejuvenation since being shifted to a wing-back role by David Moyes. The Congolese star has enjoyed a fair bit of game time in the Premier League this term, starting 10 games so far. However, he has been sidelined for the next couple of months after picking a knee injury.
West Ham, therefore, face the risk of having to play through the remainder of the campaign with only one specialist left-back in their ranks. Ben Johnson remains a feasible option but the youngster’s right-footed nature makes him more suited to a role on the other side of the pitch.
Bondswell an ideal signing?
It’s hard to imagine Matthew Bondswell walking straight into West Ham’s starting XI. The 18-year-old has very little professional experience under his belt and surely needs more exposure before making the step up to the highly-competitive atmosphere of the English top-flight.
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Having said that, this is a signing that fits the bigger picture at the London Stadium. West Ham need to make fresh additions to their left-back department with an eye on the future. Bondswell, although not the finished article just yet, certainly fits the bill in that regard.
