Five shock January moves you didn’t expect

Pablo Armero – Napoli to West Ham United (season-long loan)

Little surprise from a West Ham perspective, inheriting a versatile individual who bolstered the club’s options at left back after a dislocated shoulder to Joey O’Brien and the termination of Razvan Rat’s contract after just six months with the club.

But if Hammers fans did not know this already, Armero is highly thought-of in both a defensive and an offensive capacity and has been one of the star performers as a left-wing-back in Napoli’s cavalier version of the popular 4-2-3-1.

Three average defensive actions per game, the lowest from Napoli’s roster of defenders, supports the view that his best work is done further upfield. Perhaps so because, conversely, the Colombia international has created 12 chances so far this season.

Armero Chances Created – Serie A 2013/14

Sam Allardyce immediately sought to remedy a potential crisis after O’Brien sustained a shoulder injury during the 0-0 draw at Chelsea in midweek and could not have landed a more astute signing so close to the closure of the window.

Armero brings pace, strength and a relatively impressive eye for a pass which is sure to have captured the imagination of Allardyce given his side’s struggles in front of goal this season and inability to link play between midfield and attack on a consistent basis.

The return to fitness of Andy Carroll and tying up a deal for Roma forward Marco Borriello will certainly help combat any threat of the goals drying up as the battle survival approaches its crux and Armero’s addition offers the Hammers boss qualities going forward which O’Brien can’t without passing over his primary job at the back.