Could this be Bilic’s toughest decision yet?

Alex Song is very close to full fitness, and could be in contention for a place on the bench against Everton.

The Cameroonian midfielder on his day, is a marvellous player. Unfortunately, the former Barcelona man is not on his day enough. Having said that, once Song is back to full fitness he will get a chance at the very least in the first team.

Hopefully for West Ham, Song can emulate the brilliant form he had at the start of last season. I recall being at the Swansea game at Upton Park, and he genuinely made grown men laugh with some of his ball abilities and skill.

Fortunately, West Ham have strength in depth now, whereas when Alex Song arrived on his first loan spell, the squad was nowhere near as good. However, with the squad that the club has now, if Alex Song doesn’t perform week in and week out, he will drop to the bench. Whereas last season, Song still played most games in the second half of the season despite lacklustre performances by his standards.

When the defensive midfielder returns to a sufficient level of fitness, I think Mark Noble might have to be sacrificed. Although Mark Noble is a fan favourite and an extremely hard working player, Song is ultimately a better footballer. Unless Cheikhou Kouyate suddenly stops playing well or gets injured, I feel Alex Song would come into the team for Noble. Of course, Alex Song will have to prove himself and hopefully he will, although Noble on numerous occasions has made mistakes which have cost the team.

I am not necessarily suggesting that the former Arsenal midfielder should walk straight back into the side, as I said I feel he should have to prove himself considering the team’s excellent start to the campaign.

It is important to remember that Alex Song has wonderful vision and he is a calming influence on the team when on the ball. Slaven Bilic might decide to rotate the midfielders more once Song returns, although in my view, when all are fit and playing well, Song and Kouyate should start in the centre of midfield.

Furthermore, Alex Song offers slightly more pace than Mark Noble does. The speed of midfielders in the Premier league is changing, and I feel that Mark Noble has at times this season been exploited by other teams. I am not inferring that Alex Song is particularly fast, I just think he is more capable of dealing with the quick tempo of games.

To conclude, Alex Song should return to the West Ham starting eleven as soon as fitness permits.

Unfortunately for the West Ham captain, Noble will have to be the player who is replaced. Unless of course, an attacking player such as Lanzini or Moses is sacrificed but on current from that would appear unlikely. Ultimately, I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing a West Ham team with Alex Song in, his vision and awareness will hopefully take us to a new level.