The first job for Slaven Bilic next transfer window will definitely be to make amends for the blasphemous summer shopping that the West Ham United manager did last season. After a superb finish last campaign that saw the Hammers finish high in the Premier league table, the Croat ignored plugging certain crucial spaces in the squad in search of star strikers up front.
One of the crucial areas that need immediate reinforcement is the right-back’s position. Bilic has been playing defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate out of position there and although things look quite settled now for them, the damage has already been done. The first half of the season was a disaster for the London club as their backline crumbled very easily on numerous occasions.
The Hammers have conceded 46 goals so far, which is the most any team in the top half of the league have let in. The only natural option in that position has been the young Sam Byram, who wasn’t too impressive initially which was followed by a hamstring injury that kept him out for around 3 months.
Although Bilic had the experienced Alvaro Arbeloa in that area, the former Real Madrid and Liverpool player has been poor in his second stint in England and if not for Kouyate, West Ham’s season would have been beyond repair. According to reports, the club is preparing a fresh bid for French side Saint Etienne’s right-back Kevin Malcuit.
Also, a Manchester United target for the summer window, West Ham wanted to get their man in January itself, but the Ligue 1 side rejected two offers. The player was quite impressive when his side clashed with United in their previous Europa League knockout round, which eventually led them to scout him closely.
A youth product of Monaco, Malcuit has spent loan stints with OC Vannes before moving to Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël FC on a free transfer in 2012. After two impressive seasons there, he joined French second-tier side FC Chamois Niort, where Etienne recognised his talent.
The 25-year-old French international has been a regular for St. Etienne this season so far making 18 appearances from the right defensive flank and has also registered three assists. An intelligent defender, Malcuit has impressed many with his solid defending and game reading prowess. He is also a brilliant dribbler, who can take on opponents with his speed and provide some dangerous crosses.
A crucial player for the side, the club is unlikely to let him go for cheap and any interested party would need to cough up a huge sum for his signature.
