Inter Milan midfielder, Joao Mario has completed his loan move to West Ham United for the remainder of the season. He was quoted, “It was a fast move. I have spoken with everyone around the team and, for me, it is exciting to play in the Premier League.”
The 25-year-old’s £38m move to the Italian outfit has hit a huge speed bump this season and the move was beckoning. He has fallen out of favour with Luciano Spalletti this season with just 5 starts in the league this season.
Mario is a versatile presence in the midfield with an ability to play both the number 10 role and as a holding midfielder. He received high praise after his impressive display for the Portugal national team in the 2016 Euro Cup. The Porto-born midfielder was already a huge hit at Sporting Lisbon but the European trophy win put his talents on display at the world’s biggest stage.
West Ham have suffered one of their worst starts to the Premier League campaign this season but have resurrected themselves in recent times. Enjoying a run at the 11th spot of the points table, it looks like their relegation worries are behind them at least for the time being.
They were held to a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth last weekend and Manuel Lanzini went down with a hamstring injury, ruling him out for almost six weeks. Although the side has improved defensively the club has fallen short in the creativity aspect and Mario might turn out to be the key figure who can get things rolling again at the London Stadium.
Now that Mario has arrived, here is how the team might lineup.
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Defence
Adrian has overtaken the number one spot from Joe Hart and has been impressive in recent weeks.
Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna and James Collins can appear in the defensive back three.
Midfield
Pablo Zabaleta and Arthur Masuaku have worked relentlessly on the wings both going forward and on the defence.
Mark Noble and Pedro Obiang can pair up in the holding midfield role. Noble has been a dominant presence around the central circle.
Attack
Joao Mario can feature in Lanzini’s usual attacking midfield role behind the strikers.
Michail Antonio and Javier Hernandez are the only options Moyes has right now other than Diafra Sakho. Andy Carroll and Marko Arnautovic have been ruled out with injuries with uncertain return dates.
