Manuel Pellegrini will focus his transfer activity on defence and midfield as he settles down to sorting West Ham unbalanced squad.
The new boss – like his predecessor David Moyes – sees his major issues as being at the back where the Hammers conceded a ridiculous 68 goals last season – with Stoke City – the worst in the league.
He is keeping targets very close to his chest but his former Manchester City player Eliaquim Mangala – on loan at Everton last season – could come into his thinking.
City paid £41 million for the Frenchman who is out of contract next summer and would probably now cost in the region of £10 million.
As mentioned in a previous story here the manager may well move for Willy Caballero – Chelsea’s number two keeper whom he bought while at Manchester City and who took over from Joe Hart.
But beyond that all that is dribbling out of the club at the moment is that he wants youthful and energetic midfielders as part of a major overhaul but that he is content with what he sees up front.
It has become relatively clear that Chicharito will be brought in from the cold and be used initially as Marko Arnautovic’s strike partner with Manu Lanzini tucked in behind.
I think that’s right ..if we can keep the pea and even caroll when fit then. With arny and Antonio the goals are there it’s pace in midfield and solid defenders we need
Fredericks and Dendonker should be our main targets for me.
5 players = a keeper and 4 outfield players, hopefully one will be a genuine playmaker in midfield, someone like Cazorla, maybe he knows some amazing South American talent that is relatively undiscovered ? Exciting times, I might be on my own but I hope we don’t sign Yaya Toure, he is well past his best, would like to see a lot of hungry relatively young players that can be with us for many years COYI !!!
Don’t worry 32, Ex has already confirmed he is not interested in signing Yaya. He wants young players with pace.
I would love
Butland, Fredericks, Carvalho/Dendonker, Hegazi, Rondon
If possible then Wilshere or Bamba would make superb wildcards…
Not so sure on Rondon but agree with your picks ahammer. I was gonna put Wilshere too actually and think if theres money left Bamba could be a great signing, he looks hungry for success. Butland or Patricio in goal would be an improvement. I love Adrian but lets be honest, he is only slightly better than a very poor Joe Hart.
I like what I’ve seen of Bamba, not sure on Fredericks after the Derby games, but would like either of Carvalho/Dendonker. Butland would be nice too.
I wouldn’t mind Rondon. He works extremely hard at pressing and closing down but there are more urgent areas we must improve i.e. midfield and defence. If we get these areas covered then we can look at forwards but if there’s no money left we are pretty well covered there. Scoring wasn’t our problem last season. COYI.
Leave it to him that’s why we got him as manager,now it’s the boards turn to back him and let him rebuild if the board do this then maybe they have listened to the fans let’s all look forwards to next season