West Ham United: Who will be Zola’s two main strikers?

Christmas came late for Gianfranco Zola as David Gold and David Sullivan allowed the little Italian to add three more forwards to his squad on Monday before the transfer window slammed shut for the season.

In came the experienced trio of Benni McCarthy, at last, from Blackburn Rovers, the Brazilian Ilan and former Spurs striker Mido on loan. They will now compete for a starting place alongside the likes of England international Carlton Cole, youngster Frank Nouble, Mexican Guillermo Franco and young Freddie Sears.

Injuries and suspensions have forced Zola to put square pegs in round holes at times during his spell at West Ham but these late additions have put Zola in seventh heaven. The wee man now has seven strikers to choose from and it will present an altogether different selection problem for the former Chelsea striker. But just who do you think Zola will choose as his preferred forward partnership at the Boleyn Ground?

Carlton Cole

The former Chelsea striker was a laughing stock in his early days at the Boleyn Ground but thanks to the influence of Gianfranco Zola, Cole may now laughing all the way to the World Cup finals. He has more speed than the drug dealer in my estate, more power than German dance group Snap and more confidence than John Terry at a Miss World competition. Cole always had potential but in the past 18 months or so he has really come to the fore and if he can stay injury free he should be on board the plane for South Africa in June.

Guillermo Franco

The former Villareal marksman has been a bit of a hit with the fans at West Ham United since arriving on a free in September. He has scored three times in 12 starts and gives his all for the cause. The Mexican international may be less than 6ft tall but he is a real threat in the air and gives West Ham something different up front.

Frank Nouble

One of the most promising young strikers in the country, Nouble joined the Hammers in the summer after turning down professional terms with Chelsea so he could learn from his hero Gianfranco Zola. Physically and mentally strong, Nouble has all the raw attributes to be a future England international. The 19-year-old has made eight appearances for the first team this season and was the star man in their recent draw at Aston Villa. Zola will no doubt pass on his experience to Nouble over the next few years and ensure that he fulfils his potential, but will he continue to feature in the first team now?

Freddie Sears

The lifelong West Ham fan lived the dream by coming off the bench to score the winner on his debut against Blackburn Rovers in 2008. However, that remains the 20-year-old’s only goal to date for the first team. Sears has a fantastic goalscoring record for the club’s youth teams and the reserves but has been unable to take the opportunities when they present themselves in the first team. He has a bright future ahead of him but he must toughen up and listen to his manager if he is to forge a professional career for himself.

Benni McCarthy

West Ham United finally got their man on transfer deadline day, almost four years since they first inquired about him, but will he repay their faith in him? The South African international began life in the Premier League with an almighty bang, scoring 24 times in 50 appearances in his first season, and it was no wonder the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United were monitoring his situation. However, injuries and changes of managers have hampered his time at Ewood Park and he will be hoping to kick-start his career ahead of the World Cup. McCarthy may have lost some of his pace but his eye for a goal remains as sharp as ever.

Mido

The deal to bring the former Tottenham Hotspur striker to Upton Park on loan was one of the biggest shocks on deadline day. The last time we saw him in the Premier League he was packing a lot of timber and didn’t look interested in playing, not to mention the fact that West Ham fans have given him some right dog’s abuse in the past. However, the Egyptian deserves great credit for putting personal success ahead of money and wanting to prove himself in the top flight. The former Ajax and Marseille striker always makes an impact at a new club, of which there have been 11 already for the 26-year-old, but it’s keeping him motivated which will be Zola’s main priority. For £1,000 a week, the Hammers have signed someone with a strong physical presence, a lethal right foot and experience of the English game. It could prove to be a masterstroke by Zola.

Ilan

Now I don’t know too much about Ilan but surely you can’t go too far wrong with a 29-year-old Brazilian striker in your team! Looking at clips of the former St Etienne man on YouTube though it becomes apparent that West Ham could have a really special player on their hands. Confident, alert and brave, Ilan is not shy in making clever darting runs for his team-mates and is prepared to try his luck with long range missiles and overhead kicks. He also has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. Ilan has the potential to be a star in the East End.

All of the strikers above have their own unique traits and could do a job for the Hammers. Carlton Cole is ultimately the number one striker at the club right now but what if Zola sees an instant understanding in training between Mido and Franco or Ilan and McCarthy? Would Zola risk leaving his main man out in order to give the team something else up front?

Personally I would start with Cole, for his physical strength, and somebody who can play off him like McCarthy or Ilan on Saturday against Burnley, with Mido and Nouble on the bench. However, Zola has the advantage of seeing these guys in training this week and I’m sure he’ll make the right selection come Saturday. But, come on lads, who would you like to see establish themselves as your front two?

· Calling all West Ham United fans. If you had to pick your front pairing, to play in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, who would you choose and why? Who would you have on the bench? What do make of the dealings done on transfer deadline day? How confident are you that Mido will produce the goods for the Hammers? How do you rate the strikers at the club? I’d love to hear from you.