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da dobrowin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Andriy Yarmolenko has been handed a golden chance at West Ham United.
While Michail Antonio’s injury against Newport County is, on the surface, a hammer blow for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, but it also presents a vacancy.
The Hammers will need to fill the gap and, while Antonio has not completed 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, Yarmolenko has the ability to step into the fold whenever he is needed.
The 29-year-old has 68 minutes to his name in the top-flight this season but, with Antonio now injured, the time is right for him to step up.
Per WhoScored, the Ukraine international averages 0.5 shots per game, along with one key pass and one dribble, while he is fouled 0.5 times per game. An assiduous presence, Yarmolenko also averages 0.5 fouls per game and 1 tackle.
He averages a mere 14.5 passes throughout each game, however, and now is the time for him to step up.
Indeed, a serious injury saw him miss almost the entirety of the 2018/19 campaign after arriving last summer, and Antonio’s blow could well be the catalyst needed to see him nail down a first-team spot.
Of course, Pablo Fornals’ signing from Villarreal in the summer has added a new dimension to the forward line.
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But he needs help and he needs back-up: unleashing Yarmolenko at this stage makes all the sense in the world, particularly with the Hammers facing two games that look inherently winnable on paper.
West Ham face Norwich City this weekend before travelling to Villa Park to play Aston Villa.
Yarmolenko playing in at least one of those games should be a given after Antonio’s injury and he must grab the opportunity with both hands, particularly given the competition for places now at the London Stadium.
Ironically, if he manages to do just that, he will have Antonio to thank.
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