West Ham United’s recent signing of Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco has proven to be a shrewd move, with the 21-year-old making a positive impact in his debut. Magassa shone off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur, completing 92% of his passes and making crucial tackles. However, his former club Monaco is struggling to justify his sale after a humiliating 3-0 Champions League defeat to Club Brugge.
Monaco’s Struggles
- Monaco’s CEO Thiago Scuro defended the sale, stating that one match isn’t enough to judge the decision and that they have confidence in their players.
- However, fans are furious, pointing out that Magassa’s departure has left a gaping hole in the midfield.
- Teenager Aladji Bamba was overwhelmed in the first half against Club Brugge, and Mamadou Coulibaly’s introduction made little difference.
Fan Reaction
- “You’re losing key players and not replacing them with quality,” one fan fumed.
- “You have to be completely stupid to do that,” another added.
- Fans are also questioning the recruitment of Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati, who are seen as gambles due to their age and lack of recent playing time ¹.
Magassa’s Impact at West Ham
- Graham Potter praised Magassa’s performance, saying he “did well in difficult circumstances.”
- Magassa’s ball-winning abilities and versatility are expected to benefit West Ham’s midfield.
- The deal, worth €17 million plus €3 million in add-ons, also includes a 10% sell-on clause for Monaco ².
