Benrahma out to Hammer down a starting spot under Moyes

Said Benrahma is a forgotten man at West Ham, only making four Premier League starts in 2023-24.

The Algerian trickster has been a regular feature in the Europa League but is yet to score a goal this term.

Ahead of the Hammers' clash with Freiburg tonight, we take a look at how Benrahma can work his way back into David Moyes' plans.

Fire extinguished

When Benrahma made his £20million switch to East London, West Ham fans could not hide their excitement at signing such a promising talent.

But fast forward two years and the consensus is that they would be better off selling the former Brentford winger.

The 28-year-old has at times looked disinterested and unwilling to adjust to the instructions provided by his Scottish manager this season.

His talents lie in one-on-one situations and creating space on the inside for a curling shot — but he has struggled to show them recently.

In the top flight this term, Benrahma has hit just five shots on target and completed only 11 take-ons, which is only a fraction of what he managed last season.

If he wants his Premier League career to last beyond the summer, the 21-cap international needs to rediscover the form that earned him his big-money move in the first place.

Clouded future

Having signed a five-year contract in 2021, Benrahma is facing a premature West Ham exit.

And former Tottenham and Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes the wide player has been unfairly treated in East London and should seek a move.

Robinson said: "He has been good for West Ham.

"It's down to Benrahma's ambition and how much football he wants to play at this stage of his career.

"It's obvious that David Moyes is building a very good, strong squad there and will certainly be looking to compete on all fronts."

Setting the standard

In his best campaign with Brentford, Benrahma clocked an incredible 17 strikes and nine assists, albeit in the Championship.

He has yet to replicate those numbers for West Ham, netting a total of 15 goals and 16 assists in all competitions.

Much of his bluntness can be put down to the system used by Moyes, who demands that his attacking players also put in a shift in the defensive third.

The arrival of Mohammed Kudus and the consistent form of Jarrod Bowen has also had an impact on his career — leaving Benrahma at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to first-choice attackers.

His versatility offers a glimmer of hope that as the packed schedule continues, he will be afforded more minutes either as a winger or in an attacking midfield role.

And former Hammer Frank McAvennie believes Benrahma is still a top talent who has proven people wrong, regardless of what happens in the future.

He said: "At the time [of him signing] I thought it was stupid, but he proved me wrong.

"He's a great talent, a wonderful, wonderful talent. So it just shows you David Moyes knows what he's doing."

West Ham need a draw against Freiburg to top their group in the Europa League and Benrahma will be hoping to make an impact as he begins the road to recovery in the capital.