West Ham’s new signing El Hadji Malick Diouf won player of the match against Bournemouth last night. 

Diouf became West Ham’s first summer signing of 2025 as the Hammers paid Slavia Prague £19m for his services. The 20-year-old was thrown straight in against Grasshopper and featured against both Manchester United and Everton in the PL Summer Series.

He failed to impress too much in those 45 minute appearances. However, he played 70 minutes against Bournemouth last night and he was different quality. .

Not only was he solid defensively down the left side, he was probably the main reason for both goals which gave us a 2-0 win. For the opener, the Senegal International put in an absolutely perfect swerving cross into the back post which found Jarrod Bowen. The captain failed to get a shot away first time, but he managed to find a pass to Niclas Fullkrug who found the back of the net.

Diouf continued to threaten down the left wing, he was a complete headache for the Cherries defenders. Midway through the second half he put a cross in that was almost better than his first that led to a goal. This time, Jarrod Bowen was able to get to the ball and tap it in first time with an excellent finish.

What we’ve seen from Diouf so far has been promising, we’ve seen his inexperience at times which is expected as a youngster in a new league/environment, but we’ve also seen what an excellent cross he has on him. This could be a crucial weapon for Graham Potter this season with Fullkrug, Bowen and new signing Callum Wilson in the box, three players that will excel being on the end of deliveries like that.