West Ham United kick their season off with a lunch time kick off away at Anfield on the 12th August.
There is plenty of reason for Irons fans to be optimistic heading into the coming season. The Transfer business done by Manuel Pellegrini will have raised the spirits of Hammers fans, after a sub-par first season at the London Stadium.
Manuel Pellegrini replaces David Moyes as manager, signalling some intent for West Ham to play a more exciting brand of football. It was a major disappointment for Irons fans last season after the move to the London Stadium, in which they had hoped they would see an immediate upturn in their fortunes. Pellegrini has attracted names such as Andriy Yarmolenko to East London, an exciting player for any Premier League team.
The calibre of player brought in hints the East Londoner’s could even challenge for a European place. Jack Wilshere has struggled with injuries, but he will be a superb midfield option if he manages to stay fit.
Here’s how West Ham United’s central midfield should look at Anfield…
West Ham United have done a fantastic piece of business to bring the boyhood West Ham fan to the club. The 26 year old joins after his Arsenal contract expired at the end of June.
To bring in a player of his calibre shows some serious ambition. A fantastic ball playing midfielder, who will get the best out the Clarets attacking talents and help them to control games, Wilshere has to be a regular feature in the engine room.
Lining up against Liverpool at Anfield for West Ham’s opening Premier League game, Wilshere will have to play a key role if West Ham are to get anything against the Champions League finalists.
Kouyate should be a mainstay in the West Ham midfield.
With a 69% tackle success rate, Kouyate is crucial for the Hammers as he breaks up play and opposition attacks. Kouyate is also very much the ‘Engine’ of the engine room and will never stop running. His energy will be key for West Ham, and perhaps accommodate more luxury players like Jack Wilshere.
Pellegrini will be aware for the need for some bite in the middle of the park, so Kouyate should surely be one of the first names on the team sheet next season, sitting between the defence and midfield.
Noble is very much “Mr West Ham” and could form a great midfield partnership with Jack Wilshere.
We could see Noble and Wilshere in the middle play possession football and help West Ham dominate games. Noble will also have great energy in the middle of the park, and a player of his experience will be extremely valuable for West Ham next season.
His selection could prove to be one of the few names to survive from last season to this one, and he will help glue the team together. Noble is a leader, and West Ham will need leaders if they are to return from Anfield with three points.
