Should West Ham Sign Kalou?

 Should West Ham Sign Kalou?

It's been reported that West Ham are interested in the former Chelsea attacker Salomon Kalou who is said to "keen" to make a move away from Lille after just one season at the French club.

He received a mixed reception during his time at Chelsea but the deal could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, as he would be gaining a player with vast experience who played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s Champions League winning season in 2012.

Kalou signed for Chelsea in 2006 but never seemed to live up to the heights of his natural talent and could go missing during his time at the Bridge, but still managed to play at least 20 games a season for the Blues until the 2011-12 season.

Known for his pace and trickery, his return of only 36 goals in 156 games for Chelsea is disappointing by any forwards standards and if signed, Allardyce must hope that he can emulate his earlier goal-scoring form in the Netherlands with a much more impressive 39 goals in 80 appearances, just one goal away from a 1/2 goal to game ratio.

During his time at Lille last season he managed to rediscover his old form, finding the net 14 times in 28 appearances in the league, which is the second best return of his career, (and as many goals as his first two seasons at Chelsea).

It remains to be seen whether or not Kalou has what it takes to replicate his return to goal-scoring form in the EPL, but he knows the league very well from his time here and West Ham isn’t too far away from Chelsea, so he would probably have no trouble settling into the Hammers squad.

 Despite both parties seemingly interested in the deal, reports suggest that Big Sam doesn't want to play Kalou in his preferred spot down the middle which could be a major point of contention.

Statistics would suggest that Kalou still has goals in him and at 27 should be entering top form, but new signing Andy Carroll would probably lead the line ahead of him.

With co-owner David Sullivan saying "a proven goalscorer" is a priority for the Hammers, Kalou would be a major gamble that would probably cost a lot in wages. Whatever happens, I hope Kalou can continue to play down the middle and get the goals that strikers need for confidence.