According to a recent report by the Independent, Premier League outfit West Ham United are said to be among a host of clubs that are monitoring the progress of Atletico Madrid’s Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera. The report suggests that a plethora of English top-flight clubs are keeping tabs on the midfielder, who was a transfer target for the Hammers even during the winter transfer window a few months ago. The former Porto man is said to have stayed on in Madrid to see whether his first-team situation improved.
David Moyes, in response to the Mexican’s decision to stay in Madrid, sanctioned the signing of Tomas Soucek in the same winter window. The report suggests that despite this acquisition, the Hammers are said to have retained their interest in the former Pachuca ace.
Moyes is also still said to be keen on the midfielder, who could be signed by the London club if they’re forced to deal with any big-name departures in the middle of the park this summer. It has also been clarified that no West Ham player will be ‘off-limits’ for any potential suitors in the upcoming transfer window.
What Is West Ham’s Current Midfield Situation?
The Hammers, for all their struggles over the last couple of seasons, boast what is arguably one of the strongest squads in the entire league. Despite this though, the going has been extremely tough for the London club, as they have had to deal with multiple failed transfers as well as some untimely injuries. They boast a variety of options in the central areas of the pitch, with David Moyes effectively spoilt for choice in that position. With that said though, it’s worth considering that a lot of the Hammers’ midfielders, just seem to all serve the same purpose.
Declan Rice, Carlos Sanchez, Mark Noble and Jack Wilshere are all central-midfielders who like to sit in front of the defence line and conduct play from there. What the Hammers actually need is a more combative midfielder who can not only use his physicality to win the ball back but can also charge forward with the ball at his feet. The addition of a player like Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic or Manchester United’s Fred could do absolute wonders for this West Ham side.
What Kind Of Player Is Hector Herrera?
Herrera is a midfield playmaker who isn’t afraid to get forward with the ball at his feet and even has a stellar pass under his belt. The Mexican, at 30-years-old, is arguably one of the best midfield dribblers in the Spanish top-flight, and his exploits for Porto over the last many years have mainly gone under the radar. Capable of beating a defender with his balance and quick movement, the Atletico Madrid man would also offer excellent defensive cover, considering that he’s spent the last season getting coached by Diego Simeone.
Is This A Move That David Moyes Should Look To Make?
The Hammers’ need for more thoughtful signings across various areas of the pitch simply cannot be underplayed, but the fact remains that they need to think about strengthening their attack and defence lines first. While Herrera would be a good fit in this West Ham team, it would be smart on Moyes’ part to acquire a consistent goalscorer and a dependable defender before thinking about other areas of the pitch. By the time the summer window arrives, this could be a match made in heaven, but until then, it would be in the East London club’s best interest to try and strengthen in other areas.
