West Ham United have parted ways with Javier Hernandez who has now officially joined La Liga side Sevilla for a reported transfer fee of £7.2 million.
The Spanish outfit confirmed the transfer with an official statement which read: “Sevilla FC and West Ham United FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Javier Hernández Balcázar, known in the footballing world as Chicharito, to join Sevilla.”
While the Hammers fans should be happy with the transfer fee their club have been able to bag for the 31-year-old but his exit might have led to a shortage of forwards in the squad.
Michail Antonio has picked up a thigh injury which means he will be out for a few weeks and this is a big blow for Manuel Pellegrini – especially if another forward gets himself injured.
But recent reports are claiming that the manager is not too concerned because he is banking on 22-year-old Xande Silva to provide the backup.
Silva joined West Ham United last summer but is yet to make an impact with the first-team squad. And to be very honest with the likes of Seb Haller and Albian Ajeti coming in, it is very unlikely that Silva will be the first-choice striker or wingers anytime soon.
But Pellegrini might be planning to use the versatile forward as a backup in case one of his first-choice forwards picks up an injury during the course of the season.
This plan though will only work if the current lot can keep themselves fit until October since Silva is currently recovering.
Xande Silva needed an emergency operation on his stomach and reports have claimed that the forward will be out until the first weeks of October.
So if the likes of Haller and Ajeti keep themselves fit then surely Silva will be seen on the bench once he is deemed fully fit.
But till then, Manuel Pellegrini will have to keep praying to the Gods.
Xande Silva featured in 8 Premier League 2 games last season and he managed to score 7 goals so clearly the 22-year-old has talent and the manager is hoping that he can be the perfect backup for the West Ham United frontline.
