West Ham sold £12m man only months ago, new club could dump him already as 'struggles' continue

Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham United have had their issues this season when it comes to ill-discipline.

Only Mikel Arteta’s card-collecting Arsenal have had more players sent for an early bath than The Hammers.

Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus were both missing as West Ham United failed to turn their chances into goals against Everton in Saturday’s 0-0 draw.

Unsurprising given that he could have picked up about three red cards in three separate incidents during his remarkable implosion against Tottenham Hotspur, Kudus copped a five-match ban after leaving both Micky van de Ven and Pape Sarr with a fat lip.

And, to his credit, the under-fire Lopetegui spoke out in support of Kudus in the sticky aftermath. That was despite this not being the first unseemly flashpoint the Ghana international has found himself embroiled in during the Spaniard’s reign.

Lopetegui threw Kudus straight back into the starting XI following reports of a bust-up between player and coach at the start of October. The former Ajax forward repaid his manager’s faith with a goal in a Man of the Match display against Ipswich Town that afternoon.

If Said Benrahma is to breathe fresh air into the lungs of his spluttering Lyon career, meanwhile, the Algerian could do with producing a statement display of his own.

Lyon could sell Said Benrahma months after West Ham sale

Olympique Lyonnais completed the £12 million signing of Benrahma only five months ago following an initial loan spell from the London Stadium.

According to reports coming out of France, however, Benrahma’s Lyon career could be over before it ever really begun.

Head coach Pierre Saga dropped the former Brentford talisman alongside Gift Orban for Sunday’s 1-0 derby victory over bitter old rivals St Etienne.

That, allegedly, was not a tactical decision. More one brought about by dissatisfaction on Sage’s part towards the attitude of both Benrahma and the misfiring Orban.

According to reports, Lyon are now ready to cut their losses on Benrahma after just 15 Ligue 1 starts for Les Gones. And while his returns have been far from dreadful – nine goal contributions in those 15 starts – his less-than stellar displays in the Europa League have put Benrahma in danger of being overshadowed by the rising star that is Malick Fofana.

“In the league, he made a difference,” RMC wrote after Benrahma was hauled off on the hour mark during Lyon’s 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim last Thursday.

“But, at the top level, he struggles to string together good matches.”

Benrahma facing criticism amid tough start in French football

Of course, the West Ham supporters familiar with Benrahma’s game will not be taken by surprise to learn that the mercurial 29-year-old has performed in fits and bursts in Lyon colours.

That was pretty much the story of his time in claret-and-blue as well.

But with Sage seemingly taking issue with more than Benrahma’s on-field struggles, Lyon may already be preparing themselves to take a loss on that £12 million investment.

“[The criticism] hurts,” Benrahma told Football 365 back in October as the doubters started to appear. “But for me, the pitch is the only thing that matters.

“I try to stay focused on the work, not to give up. When there are tough moments, there are no gifts in football. So, I try to stay positive. That’s the most important thing.”