West Ham’s major transfer business has been done as we reported over the weekend but don’t be surprised if one or two more players appear before transfer deadline day.
Manuel Pellegrini is still taking a good look at his squad and we are hearing that a couple of fringe players and a back up striker could be on their way to the club.
Midfield is still be examined and although there are no names on the radar the boss remains keen to strengthen in that area.
But it’s the new Andy Carroll injury which has caused most concern and the club are looking at some back-up strike options.
Jordan Hugill is clearly not the answer and with just Arnie and Chicharito available, injury to either of them would obviously prove damaging.
The manager is keen to plug any gaps before the season starts but attracting players of sufficient quality to the club when they know they are unlikely to feature regularly is difficult.
However, the search continues.
B A L O T E L L I
As an experienced manager Pellegrini will know that a policy of ‘We will be ok as long as none of the strikers gets injured’ is just asking for trouble. The owners will know that we have taken this gamble several times since they took over. We got away with it -but only just. I a man sure the new boss is aiming higher than ‘just surviving’ & if the club is serious about doing that they must at least get cover for the strikers. In other positions I guess it depends who is going.
Felipe Anderson can play striker and Yarmolenko has also filled that role previously, agree about Huggill and it would be good to have a physical centre forward that stays fit on the books, would definitely take Balotelli if he was available and has grown up enough to be reliable.
We have several that CAN fill the position (above + Antonio), but that hopefully will not have to happen. Martinez still ours? Asking as he is not mentioned, don’t want to rely on him as only option either…