West Ham: Dharmesh Sheth drops Jan Bednarek update

by George McGibbon share

3 minute read 1/9/2022 | 08:49am

West Ham United are closing in on a deal to bring Jan Bednarek to the London Stadium as the club’s first signing on transfer deadline day.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Dharmesh Sheth, with the Sky Sports reporter revealing in a recent post on Twitter that David Moyes is now closing in on a deal to bring the Southampton centre-back to east London on a season-long loan, while Craig Dawson looks to be heading out of the club – with Wolves in advanced talks over a deal for the 32-year-old.

In his tweet, Sheth said: “Wolves in advanced talks to sign West Ham United defender Craig Dawson. West Ham close to agreeing a loan deal for Southampton defender Jan Bednarek.”

Moyes will love him

With Bednarek being a solid, dangerous and Premier League-proven centre-back, it is not difficult to understand why Moyes has identified the 26-year-old as a replacement for the outbound Dawson, as the Poland international very much appears to be the type of defender that the 59-year-old manager loves.

Indeed, over Bednarek’s 31 Premier League outings in 2021/22, the £25.5m-rated talent was in imperious form, helping Southampton keep seven clean sheets, in addition to making 2.3 interceptions, one tackle and 4.5 clearances and winning 4.5 duels – at a success rate of 62% – per game.

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The £20k-per-week defender also impressed in an attacking capacity, bagging four goals and creating one big chance for his team-mates, as well as completing 38.1 passes – at a success rate of 82% – playing 2.8 long balls and taking 0.6 shots per game.

These metrics saw the 26-year-old average a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.94 – the same as Dawson earned – ranking him as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s third-best performer in the top flight of English football last season.

Losing the experience of Dawson will undoubtedly come as a blow to Moyes, but should the Scot manage to get a deal over the line for Bednarek in the 32-year-old’s place, it would very much appear as if the 59-year-old has replaced the former Watford man exceptionally well – and perhaps even secured a slight upgrade on the Englishman.