The return of Andriy Yarmolenko has been one of the more positive stories about West Ham this season, and the Ukranian has been feeling the love on his birthday.
Wishing a very happy birthday to @Yarmolenko_7!
Have a great day, Yarmo! pic.twitter.com/kLyXZvYJsU— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 23, 2019
The winger, who is valued on Transfermarkt at £18m, has been in impressive form for the Hammers this season after returning to the first-team after nearly a year out after tearing his Achilles tendon in West Ham’s 1-0 loss to Tottenham in October 2018, though despite missing so much time out on the injury table, the West Ham number 7 has not skipped a beat.
Yarmolenko scored in West Ham’s 2-0 win against Norwich City as well as netting against Manchester United and Bournemouth as stats from Transfermarkt show, and on his 30th birthday, West Ham fans on social media called for Manuel Pellegrini to start the experienced attacker in Saturday’s game against Sheffield United.
Here’s what some West Ham fans had to say about the club’s birthday post for Yarmolenko, with most supporters wanting the Ukranian international back amongst the XI…
Didn’t think I’d be saying he’s our most important player this soon after his injury. He’s a vital cog atm, with Lanzini and Anderson underperforming.
— Ant Weeks (@weetbix20) October 23, 2019
He needs to start matches, not warm benches. Maybe then the team will put the effort in from the start.
H.B Yar— Me (@witter_dad) October 23, 2019
Needs to play up top with @HallerSeb. Make it so @Ing_Pellegrini #coyi pic.twitter.com/ClC0DyKA7Q
— Brad Chuck (@BradChuck) October 23, 2019
Our man! #COYI
— JB (@BurchettJason) October 23, 2019
Some supporters, though, just wanted to wish Yarmolenko a happy birthday…
Happy birthday yarmelenko llnp
— Joseph Taiwo (@JosephT91407395) October 23, 2019
Happy birthday xx
— Pippa Leeson (@PippaLeeson) October 23, 2019
Happy birthday!
— Tania (@tania5017) October 23, 2019
Happy birthday Yarmo! With love from Nepal ????????
— Sulav Dahal (@sulavd) October 23, 2019
Yarmolenko started on the bench for West Ham’s 2-0 defeat against Everton, a decision most fans didn’t take lightly.