The season has ended, and we have appointed a new manager, Manuel Pellegrini. A high-profile manager has joined West Ham United on a 3-year contract. This could be the start of something special. Although we ended the season positively, as fans we felt it was a disappointing season overall with the lack of money invested within the squad, especially in the January transfer window. This summer, arguably the biggest summer we can face to push the club in the right direction. This can only be done with huge investment and give the players Pellegrini is after. Below is a list of positions that need strengthening this summer transfer window.
Goalkeeper:
We started off last season expecting Joe Hart to help West Ham and be a consistent goalkeeper all season round. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and he made significant amount of errors throughout the season and this followed with Adrian’s performances. Towards the end of the season Adrian put in strong performances and made outstanding saves. However, lack of consistency is a problem for the Spanish goalkeeper.
Possible goalkeepers we should target:
* Tom Heaton
* Nick pope
* Lukasz Fabianski
* Mattia Perin
* Bernd Leno
* Jack Butland
All goalkeepers mentioned above are number one goalkeepers for their clubs and signing either one could improve our squad. Personally, I think we should target Butland, Leno, Perin or either Burnley goalkeeper as they can show consistency and prevent goals going in.
Centre backs:
Signing a centre back this season should be a main priority this season. Winston Reid has become a strong liability due to his constant long-term injuries. James Collins is set to leave West Ham with the club not renewing his contract, which would leave the centre back position very thin. There is a possibility that Reece Oxford will leave West Ham again but for the time being, he is a West Ham player. I think we should sign two new centre backs that can push West Ham forward.
Possible targets we can go for:
* Johnny Evans
* Jamaal Lascelles
* Alfie Mawson
* Callum Chambers
* Holger Badstuber
* Chris Smalling
* James Tarkowski
All the players listed above can improve our defence, but my top three candidates would be Jamaal Lascelles, Chris Smalling and James Tarkowski.
Right back:
With Zabaleta entering his final year of his contract, we have always looked thin in the right back position over the years. Sam Byram has not progressed as a West Ham player since he first joined the club. This season he should have been pushing for a first team spot but unfortunately, he has been injured for most of the season. With injuries pushing the player back, I think its time to move forward and sign another right back and potentially sell Byram.
Possible targets to consider:
* Oscar de Marcos
* Ryan Fredericks
* Cedric
With Southampton staying in the premier league, it would be unlikely to see Cedric leave Southampton. However, signing Ryan Fredericks would be a good boost for us. He is a talented defender with a pace that can cause problems for opposition teams.
Defensive midfielder:
Over the last two seasons we have lacked a consistent defensive midfielder to protect the defence and drive the ball. When Bilic left West Ham, he mentioned that the club needed a good box to box defensive midfielder. Personally, Kouyate is not good enough for West Ham throughout the last two seasons and it is unlikely he would suit Pellegrini’s style of play.
Possible targets to consider:
* William Carvalho
* Leander Dendoncker
William Carvalho would be my preferred option and I believe either one of two players can push West Ham forward. Although William Carvalho maybe slightly pricier, he has more to offer and has more experience.
Centre midfield/attacking midfielder:
We cannot keep relying on Manuel Lanzini to provide creativity in the midfield. If or when Laznini receives an injury, we have no other player in the team that can offer and link up well with Marko Arnautovic. Fans want someone that can have a good link up to play with Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic. If we have a good enough player that can create and score goals alongside Lanzini and Arnautovic, we can push easily for a top 10 finish. This season, our midfield has looked very light and thin and we do not have enough players in that position.
Possible suggestions:
* Andre Gomes
* Jack Wilshere
* Shinji Kagawa
* Ross Barkley
* Tom Cairney
* James Maddison
Wingers:
We have lacked wingers all season especially because we sold Andre Ayew in January and have Antonio injured throughout the season. We need to add pace and skill in our attack and not constantly rely on Arnautovic to do everything.
Possible suggestions:
* Xherdan Shaqiri
* Adama Traore
* Richarlison
* Andre SchĂĽrrle
* Iniaki Williams
* Patrick Roberts
There is a strong likelihood that Patrick Roberts is going to Leicester, however, either players listed above can improve our current situation and we should be looking to sign at least two wingers given Antonio’s injury problems.
Strikers:
Last season we signed Javier Hernandez and fans believed he would push the club in the right direction given his goal scoring nature. However, our style of football did not suit Hernandez, but it can all change under Pellegrini. I still believe that we should sign a striker, with Hugill potentially looking set to leave and Andy Carroll’s long-term injury problem.
Possible suggestions:
* Michy Batshuayi
* Mario Mandzukic
* Kevin Gameiro
* Kevin Volland
* Salomon Rondon
* Andre Silva
Written By Abu | @Asheth16