David Moyes is unsure that either Sam Byram or Jose Fonte’s long term future at West Ham.
The manager is currently thinking through the last stages of his January transfer window plans and is believed to be set on a radical shake up of the squad.
The manager has been unable to look at either player since his arrival given the injuries which has sidelined them for weeks but is keen to build a younger and more athletic squad.
Byram has been a regular injury casualty and is not expected back before mid January whilst 33 year old Fonte could be out until the end of the season.
Moyes’ big winter requirement is a ball carrying midfielder but he is looking keenly at the back line and reinforcements could arrive to put Byram and Fonte’s future on the line.
With Pablo Zabaleta reaching his 33rd birthday on January 16 the manager knows that he has to bring in fresh blood at the back and he wants to take a good look at Byram too.
A Hammers insider explained: “The manager has made it clear he wants to bring in players and there could well be movement in both directions.”
Fonte was never a long term option anyway but I think he is decent, I suppose it will come down to wages, Collins who is just as good is on less money and we have Declan Rice who is a more than able reserve as for Sam Byram although he is raw he has so much potential, he is a great athlete with good pace and is good on the ball with a decent crossing ability, for sure it is a position we can upgrade, we need someone to replace Zaba long term, since Moyes has taken over Ogbonna looks like our best defender, Reid for me is solid and has the odd exceptional game but to me he is replaceable also, if Cresswell can regain his Allardyce form (signs look good) his position is nailed down, the best solution is to find a way to get back to a flat back four and have another midfielder in the team, 3 5 2 is usually a defensive option for us as we mostly utilise it as 5 3 2, the positions we need to strengthen are defensive midfield and offensive midfield to me this means Carvalho, N’Zonzi, Wilshere two of those three perhaps letting Kouyate move on, Fernandes has the ability to be a long term solution offensively but he is not there yet, likewise Quina if he stays is a few years off, unless Moyes can sort out the Sakho situation we need to replace him like for like also, I want him to find a way to incorporate Hernandez who is our only pure striker into the fold either play him with Sakho or Carroll at the moment it looks like he is hanging Hernandez out to dry.
I wish Bryan was fit I don’t think Bilic fancied him but he has pace & can cross has put in some good shifts. And working under Moyes & Pearce would be great for him.
That said I don’t think we need a CB but we do need a Fullback & Opare who plays RB and is fast can defend at 27 & £3m van also cover LB might be a good option in Jan. Tho Everton & others are keen too.
But I think what we need even more then midfield enforecer is creativity. Bc we have shown we can keep clena sheets. But our link up isn’t always great & Obaing is fitting nicely In DM Rice as well. Tho I would like on passing is key.
But I want creativity someone who makes more assists then goals & we have needed that for a while. There is some good young talent out there I have mentioned & Elynoussoui is at top w 11 assists 5 goals pace 23yo £10m could prove to be a great buy for present & future. James Madisson Norwich 7 goals 8 assists only 21yo & 2 free kick goals in 2 weeks.
Even w Lanzini playing we need more creativity & technique & without him we need it badly. Him being around another creative player makes him better we’ve seen it over the years.
32 completly agree about Chicharito especially since we are playing 2 up front which suits him the best him & Sahko played a 10m togheter at Stoke & looked great he setup Sahko after taking on 5 defenders nice run & Sahko should of scored it.
But if we don’t start playing Chicharito just another waste of wages & a world class finisher esp now we have been playing more ground ball.
But him & Ayew up front 2 poacher not good idea him & Sahko that works.
And if we could keep Sahko I would bc he is our most rounded CF & has pace so if we could get him to sign a year contract & if still wants to go in summer I would do that.
AC I would part with but finding a buyer. And Ayew looks likely to leave tho I like him & is a good player but not a lone striker. He scores & assists 5&3 this season all comps. With our thin squad def wouldn’t sell him without replacement first.