West Ham United have managed to bounce back well from their mediocre start to the season and David Moyes will now look to build for the future. They will do well to finish in the top half of the table but the manager is already planning for the next season and is scouting for some exciting talents for a move in the summer.
A number of star names have been constantly linked with a move to the club recently and one name now doing the rounds is Manchester United star, Chris Smalling.
Wanted by the likes of Arsenal, Everton and Newcastle United, the 28-year old centre-half is one of the most experienced defenders in the league at the moment. He has 31 appearances for his national side and is a crucial part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup.
He has 185 Premier League appearances as well but has not been the preferred choice for Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, but has managed 18 league starts this season, thanks to injuries and lack of form of his competitors. He has cost the club a few points this season and it is reported that he will be put up for sale at the end of the season.
Jose Mourinho spent on Eric Bailly last season and Victor Lindelof this summer but has not been able to us a settled backline this season. Phil Jones remains the other option in this role with Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind also helping out so the manager is expected to spend on another CB in the summer, which will push Smalling out of the team at the end of the season.
An experienced defender who has a great understanding of the game, Smalling is a dominating presence inside his box, who loves to stay a step ahead and win the ball quickly around the box. He is strong in the air and rarely misses an aerial duel but is not at his best against strikers who love to dribble and play on his shoulder.
He is disciplined but is prone to errors at times but at 28, he is an experienced defender, who will improve the backline for West Ham.
Moyes has a variety of options at his disposal for this role but has not been able to trust a fixed backline till date at the London Stadium. He has already allowed Jose Fonte to quit and join the Chinese Super League earlier this week and now has Angelo Ogbonna, Winston Reid and James Collins as the only senior CBs.
Aaron Cresswell, Chiekhou Kouyate and Declan Rice have all played a decent role when called upon but they need a solid option to go to and Smalling fits the bill well. He is perfect for Moyes’ style of play and can have the backline built around him.
He may not be the best option available in the market but do you think the Hammers should take a shot at him in the summer?
