According to Estadio Deportivo, West Ham United are set to make a move for William Carvalho this summer. The Real Betis midfielder has been identified as their desired replacement for Declan Rice, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United throughout the summer.
West Ham have held a long-term interest in Carvalho, but the Hammers may finally have the opportunity to sign the Portuguese international this summer as Manuel Pellegrini aims to kickstart a new era at the London Stadium next season.
William Carvalho’s success with both and country
Since joining Real Betis for a fee of €20 million last summer, Carvalho has become a mainstay in the Betiscos midfield, making 43 appearances during his debut season across all competitions. The 27-year-old built a formidable midfield partnership with club captain Andres Guardado at the base of Betis’ 3-4-2-1 formation.
Carvalho’s service in the middle of the park has indeed played a critical role in Real Betis’ tenth-placed finish in the league, with the holding midfielder notably registering five assists in 30 league matches.
The ex-Sporting CP skipper has also impressed on the international stage, having performed brilliantly for the Portugal national team that triumphed in the recently concluded UEFA Nations League. His performance against current Sporting captain Bruno Fernandes was one of the key reasons behind their victory over the Netherlands in the final.
What can Carvalho bring to the table?
Carvalho is a dominant holding midfielder, who likes to impose his presence in the middle of the park. He has a tall frame of 1.87m that makes him an intimidating figure for the opposition. The 27-year-old is also a physically astute midfielder and an excellent tackler, having averaged 1.5 tackles per game in the recently concluded season.
The Portuguese international can offer extensive defensive cover for the backline. And his excellent passing range allows him to distribute possession and bring others into the game – making Carvalho a useful asset to any side in the world. He notably attained an impressive pass completion of 89% this past season.
Should West Ham make a move for Carvalho?
Carvalho will be an ideal replacement for Rice, considering his defence-oriented nature. But unlike Rice, he can also move forward and provide creative support, if necessary. But most importantly, it is his incredible physique that could make him a tailor-made fit in the physically astute nature of the Premier League.
Furthermore, Carvalho is quite an experienced customer, having made almost 300 appearances in professional club football while winning 56 caps for Portugal. And this experience at the highest level of football could help him settle into his new club.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
