Dean Ashton has been linked with a big money move to a top clubs this summer, following signs of great potential since joining West Ham. However, rather than leave his club and fans hanging, a la Ronaldo, Ashton has today penned a new 5 year contract with his club.
“I am delighted. I said all along that I wanted to sign,” he said. “I feel I have still got a lot to show the football club and the fans. I am really happy that I have signed and now I can look forward to next season. It is a fantastic way to end the season for me. It is not going to be on my mind now and with a five-year contract, the future is here.”
The 24-year-old showed United fans first hand what he could do, after scoring a brilliant overhead kick at Old Trafford in our last home game of the season. It is rare to see our fans applaud a goal for the opposition, but that is exactly what happened.
After the game, with the title not yet wrapped up, Sir Alex Ferguson spoke about Ashton’s character. “Look at Dean Ashton,” he said. “He was a United fan as a kid but scored a goal which could kill our hopes.”
Just like Alan Smith gave 100% to United despite being Leedscum, Ashton was totally committed to West Ham’s cause when he played against United, despite supporting us.
It is important to note that having strong feelings towards a club can only help improve performance and commitment. Ashton’s feelings for United should only make him a better player.
Do you think he has the quality and personality to make it at United one day?
Ashton has for some reason been a striker I have never warmed to.
Having said that he is a decent striker, able to hold up the ball and would be thus someone Rooney and other wingers/strikers could play off of.
Strikes me as someone intelligence wise as a better more heavyweightt version of sheringham, as he makes intellignet runs when playing in the hole but again adds that lone man dimension when hes a lone man.
Though I believe if its a striker to lead the line we should not be dissapointed by Ashton not coming as we have Manucho (Yes I know one swallow doesnt make a summer, but he was great in the ACN)
Heres hoping for Benzema though…
Imagine him leading the line, Rooney in the hole and ROnaldo and a winger tearing it up + Tevez and others give us SO many good options.
I believe we may have signed Ashton IF we didnt get our 1st/2nd choice targets. Good luck to him and he may end up arriving a little late on in his career if we have a dearth of strikers somewhere down the line.