According to Tuttomercatoweb, West Ham United have rekindled their interest in Stuttgart defender Steven Zuber. The Swiss international is currently on loan at Stuttgart but will return to Hoffenheim at the end of the campaign. The report claims that Zuber is currently valued somewhere around €7 million as the Hammers look to bolster their defensive options in the summer. However, they could face stiff competition from Ligue 1 giants OGC Nice, who are also keen to secure his services this summer.
What can Zuber offer to the table?
Zuber is an industrious defender, who has covered various roles during his career so far. A left-back by trade, the 27-year-old was primarily utilised as a wide-midfielder by Julian Nagelsmann during his time at Hoffenheim.
His aggression and willingness to win back possession for his team made him a tailor-made fit for Nagelsmann’s intense gameplay. His versatile nature, on the other hand, allows him to interchange between being a left-back and a left-midfielder seamlessly even during the match.
Another key aspect of Zuber’s gameplay is his athleticism. He usually covers a lot of ground, which meets the demands of the Premier League. Zuber is also proficient in one-touch football as he often tends to create passing triangles with teammates in the final third. His ability to rotate possession at a quick rate enables him to breach the defence as he has so often done during his time at Hoffenheim.
Does West Ham need someone like Zuber next season?
West Ham United are in need of reinforcements in the left-back department this summer. Their first choice left-back Arthur Masuaku has been linked with a move away from London Stadium. Aaron Cresswell, meanwhile, was overlooked by Pellegrini, at times this season, thus accentuating the need for a new fullback.
Zuber, in that regard, is an exciting option for the Hammers. As iterated earlier, the Swiss international has the aggression and mentality to thrive in the robust nature of English football. His versatility on the left-flank also means that he can be utilised not only in the left-back slot but in an advanced role.
Furthermore, he tends to move in-field and link-up with teammates. This tunes well with the inverted wingers Pellegrini has at his disposal at the moment. But most importantly, the 27-year-old will add more urgency as well as competition in the left-back department. And considering his tactical astuteness in both defence and attack, he is definitely a viable target for the Irons.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
