On top of bringing through their own talented youngsters, West Ham United have made a habit of signing iconic players towards the end of their careers in recent decades.
For example, the likes of Ian Wright, Samir Nasri, Joe Cole – the second time round – and Freddie Ljungberg all donned the Claret and Blue in their latter playing years.
However, while many of these ageing stars were never really more than okay, there was one who did incredibly well in East London: Teddy Sheringham.
The boyhood fan joined the Hammers after leaving Portsmouth in the summer of 2004 and over the next three seasons would rack up 30 goals and six assists in 86 games, while also becoming the oldest goalscorer in Premier League history.
The Englishman was an excellent signing for West Ham, and so fans should be excited about reports linking them to someone who could be their new Sheringham.
West Ham target their new Sheringham
It’s been an interesting summer for West Ham United so far this year, as they have made a few signings that could genuinely improve the starting line-up, such as Kyle Walker-Peters and Mads Hermansen.
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However, they’ve still not done enough in the market, especially since the only out-and-out attacking addition so far has been Callum Wilson, who might be talented but is practically always injured.
Fortunately, the East Londoners appear to be targeting another centre-forward signing, someone who is older than the former Newcastle United star, but also has the potential to be more impactful and like Potter’s own Sheringham.
At least that is according to a recent report from The Sun, which has claimed West Ham are interested in signing Jamie Vardy.
The report has revealed that Hammers are one of a number of teams vying for the Englishman’s signature, including Brentford, Wrexham and Celtic, which seems to be his preferred destination at the moment.
However, as he is now a free agent, the Irons would surely be able to offer him a more lucrative contract than the Hoops, and the chance to keep on playing in the Premier League.
In all, if West Ham have the chance to sign Vardy, they should take it, as even at his age, he was effective in the top-flight, and could even become the new Sheringham.
Why Vardy could be the new Sheringham
Now, while we wouldn’t expect Vardy to be quite as successful at West Ham as Sheringham was, he certainly still has plenty to give and shares some key similarities with the retired great.
The first and unavoidable one is the simple fact that he’d be another star player joining the club in the final years of his career.
Secondly, he’s not just a great of his former club, but of the Premier League in general, thanks to his part in Leicester City’s most unlikely of triumphs a decade ago.
Moreover, he’s also a former England international, and while he was a part of the disastrous EURO 2016 campaign, he also made four appearances at the 2018 World Cup, where Gareth Southgate led the team to the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.
Finally, as he’s set to turn 39 in January, if the former Foxes legend was able to maintain his fitness and remain with the club for a couple of seasons, there is no reason why he couldn’t break Sheringham’s record of being the oldest goalscorer in Premier League history.
With all of that said and forgetting the comparisons to the former Irons star, the East Londoners would be wise to sign the 38-year-old regardless.
After all, despite playing for a terrible Leicester side last season that went back down to the Championship, he was still able to score ten goals and provide four assists in just 36 appearances, totalling 2899 minutes.
Appearances
36
Minutes
2899′
Goals
10
Assists
4
Goal Involvements per Match
0.38
Minutes per Goal Involvement
207.07′
That means that the “proven goalscorer,” as dubbed by former professional Jermaine Pennant, was able to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 2.57 games, or every 207.07 minutes.
Having someone capable of that in the squad and on the bench in games could earn Potter and Co. a few more points across the season, which could be the difference in what feels like it’s going to be a brutal campaign.
Ultimately, while some might turn their noses up at signing someone so old, West Ham should do what they can to bring Vardy to the London Stadium this summer, as he could just be their next Sheringham.
