Gift Orban a huge threat to West Ham over two legs of Europa Conference League clash with Gent, says Joe Cole

Joe Cole believes West Ham need to nullify the threat of Gent’s striker Gift Orban over two legs.

The 20-year-old Nigerian has been in excellent form for Gent since his arrival from Norwegian second division side Stabaek in January, scoring 14 goals in 12 matches this season, including five goals in four Europa Conference League games.

But the standout moment of his promising career so far was scoring a record-breaking three-minute hat-trick in the second leg of Gent’s Conference League win over Istanbul Basaksehir in the last 16. Three days before that, Orban scored four goals in a 6-2 win at Zulte Waregem, making him the first Gent player to do so in the 21st century.

Joe Cole says West Ham have to find a way of containing the unpredictable striker if they are to progress to the semi-finals.

“Two-footed, strong, powerful, fast, aggressive with his play,” he said. “His goal record of 14 in 12 is unbelievable. West Ham will have to nullify him. They’ve also got another exciting young player on the left [Malick Fofana].

“The danger when you play against young players is you have to contain them. Sometimes they don’t do things by the book and can do things off the cuff.

“They’re eager, they sometimes pressure when they shouldn’t so it can surprise you but you have to get to grips with it. I’m really excited to watch Orban.”

Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole says Orban’s spatial awareness is what makes him especially dangerous in front of goal.

He said: “When you are young and ready to make an impact in football and get a four-minute hat-trick… the thing about young players when that happens, what next? Are you going to rest on that or are you going to move on?

“He looks aware… his spatial awareness. Sometimes when you’re a young player you can be so eager that you run about too much.”