New signing Manor Solomon looked great on his West Ham debut vs Burnley. Is he an early contender for Hammer of the year?

When West Ham announced the £5 million signing of Manor Solomon, there was a mixed reaction, not mainly because of the level of the player, but for his what some would call ‘controversial’ beliefs.

The Israeli international started a match in claret and blue just six days after being announced as a West Ham player.

After a full pre-season with Tottenham under Roberto De Zerbi, Solomon was raring to go, and he proved exactly that. If Burnley’s Zian Flemming hadn’t scored a brace, Solomon would have been nailed on for man of the match.

He ranked first on the pitch in take-ons with three, he led the game in shots with three, and won seven duels in total. He looked like the perfect winger on Sunday, exactly what this team needed after missing Summerville, he’s going to be some player for us this season.

After the match Nuno said: “Manor Solomon was very good. I’m happy that he scored and improved his confidence. He brings very good things for us, he’s a very talented player with the ball and makes good combinations.

When the season starts to click our offensive game will be even better with him.”

Those combinations might improve with the signing of his former Leeds teammate Joel Piroe, they combined for four goals in 24/25 as Leeds won the title with 100 points.

It was understandable why some fans didn’t want us to sign Solomon, but he is really going to improve us and will be crucial out on the left this season. He’s already become a favourite with a lot of the fans.

The 27-year-old said: “There are some new players and some young players, so we need to stick together and understand how to play together. It can take time, but we need to understand that the league has started.

I want to thank the fans for the support they’ve shown in me, in my first game in front of them. I’m really looking forward to the Charlton game now.”

Solomon is speaking well, he seems like a good character, he’s obviously proven in the Championship and he will be looking to better the stats he got for Leeds a couple of seasons ago, and I really think he can.

He could be in for a shout for Hammer of the year, but with captain fantastic Jarrod Bowen staying, I think it’ll be really hard for anyone to beat him to that prize.