Make no bones about it, Mats Hummels is a quality player. Unlike Joel Matip who has a recent injury history of cruciate ligament damage( last year), Hummels whilst being 35, is quite the operator and is both a World Cup winner and has played in a Champions League final.
I don’t think he, unlike Matip, would be happy to come to West Ham United at this stage in his career to sit on the bench as a fourth Centre back.
So, what are Lopetegui and Steidten upto: The recruitment of Hummels, if it goes ahead, could actually significantly widen Lopeteguis’ options tactically. We know from past experience that J’Lo used more than one formation especially during his time in Spain at Real Madrid.
Having done my research, I found a report from outsideoftheboot.com which provided some much needed insight: After all, we have only seen three competitive games from our Head Coach and so his tenure is still largely unknown territory as far as tactics are concerned. We know he wants to play ‘possession based football’ but apart from that – little is concrete.
The report from his early days in 2018 states : “He also wasn’t afraid of changing formations having played 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 depending on the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Which backs up my theory that the reason the pair are so interested in Mats Hummels is that he provides the option for West Ham to move to a three at the back, Hummels playing along side Todibo and Kilman.
Earlier pieces from Max Kilman’s recruitment back in July indicated that he played best as ‘one of three at the back’. So, this makes a lot of sense as another option for The Hammers using a four midfield with wing-backs Emerson and Wan-Bissaka, behind a mobile front three of Bowen Kudus and Summerville or more likely ‘three’ comprising Paqueta behind just Bowen and Kudus.
Would also explain why no ‘marquee’ new number nine signing.
How difficult would that be to set up against? For two years the Hammers have been dreadfully predictable under Moyes, and once teams worked us out we had no plan ‘B”.
Hummels on the bench or in the starting squad would give us the choice of a third centre back either changing formation at the start or mid-way through into one of Lopetegui’s favoured formations. It seems to me that the signing of Hummels on a free would perhaps indicate that our head coach has seen – or is doubting – Mavropanos’ ability to play that role especially after a rocky day against Man City.
But, if this was part of the ‘master plan’ would he have recruited a third CB earlier rather than relying on the ‘free’ market? I think so.
Hence I believe it is Lopetegui keeping options open and flexibility rather than signalling a wholesale shift in style as some seem to think. But, it will be certainly exciting for us as fans, tactically very challenging for opposition Managers to be set up against us with several options when facing ‘new’ West Ham.
Potentially, for those of us watching week in, week out, a real breath of fresh air.
Hummels although older is a better option than Matip with his recent anterior cruciate ligament injury or Egan. We know that Lopetegui wants two competing for every position is the obvious reason for another centre back.
So many theories Martin. Left me wondering who really shot JFK? Usually the simplest explanation is closest to the truth, including Jo-Lo didn’t rate Aguerd but couldn’t shoe him until 10.59PM, leaving him no time and little money to find a replacement. I’d like to think this creates an opportunity to bring add youth to the squad such as Casey or Scarles rather than pay huge wages for a glass slipper or an OAP.
I think Hummels would be good signing… but for only 1 season. That would give Steitden plenty of time to find a young, talented CB. Either for the winter transfer window or later in the summer transfer window.
After all this activity, I just hope it doesn’t go the way of the Pelligrini fiasco where the Hammers were the worst at the amount of time actually running during a game.
I’ve gotta agree with Jimbo, surely the boss has brought in enough players of different ages, have we NO talent at youth level
Ogbonna wasn’t too bad as a fourth choice. Don’t know why we didn’t keep him for one last year. Hummel though is only a mere 35. Maybe that one year could make all the difference. One of the best defenders in the world in his day too. Might be worth getting him in.