Former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer believes that West Ham United’s Said Benrahma proves that you have to give players time to settle into a new club and league.
Benrahma completed a £25m permanent switch to West Ham in January this year, after joining the Premier League outfit on loan the previous October from Brentford who were in the Championship at the time.
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In his first season at the London Stadium, Benrahma scored one goal for the Hammers and provided six assists in the Premier League but has really hit form this term and Palmer believes you have to be patient with new signings.
“Of course,” the ex-Leeds United star said to This is Futbol when asked if Benrahma’s form shows why clubs need to show patience with fresh arrivals. “He’s come from the Championship and it’s an adjustment to the Premier League. The Premier League is a million miles from the Championship in terms of quality, in terms of the technical aspects of the game.
“Some players can’t make that step up, but you have to give that player time to see if he can do that, see if he can make that adjustment, that’s what you’re looking at when you sign players from another league. You’re looking at whether they could actually make the step up to the league that you’re playing in and some can and some can’t, but you can’t just make that in a snap judgement.”
After finishing sixth last season in the Premier League, West Ham qualified for the Europa League for this campaign and have made a brilliant start to their group, as they currently sit top on ten points after four matches.
Benrahma has been in terrific form in Europe for the Hammers as he has three goals in four appearances and also was in great form for Algeria during the international break as he scored one and assisted two in the match against Djibouti.