West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has revealed that he seriously wanted to loan-in Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, but he has blamed the club for not trying hard enough.
The Hammers have been dealt a serious injury blow already this season with striker Andy Carroll ruled out with no set return date and the lack of striker’s up front is troubling the club already as they haven’t found the back of the net since the opening day of the season.
Lukaku became one of the player’s to watch for the season ahead after he was sensational for West Bromwich Albion, but after Jose Mourinho admitted that he still needed more experience, it was Everton that snapped up the opportunity and loaned the Belgium.
It was a serious blow for Allardyce and he has now admitted that he really wanted to sign the 20-year-old but didn’t get the support from the board.
“I chased him all summer to be honest,” said Allardyce. “But when it became the final day of the deadline we missed out and Everton managed to secure his position.
“We were more or less told he was going back to West Brom. We tried, but didn’t manage to clinch it.”
Some positive news for Allardyce though is that new signing Mladen Petric is close to making his debut after his summer switch from Fulham.
“Mladen Petric is training every day and trying to overcome the every day fatigue. He is going through a pre-season and that leaves you tired,” he said.
“We’re then waiting to find his recovery is quicker and he’s into the football as well as the physical side. He’s enjoying being back with a group of players he can mingle with rather than being stuck in a park or gym.
“We’re hoping he can make an appearance in or around for the Cardiff game [on Tuesday night].”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
