OPINION
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini must unshackle Arthur Masuaku from his defensive burdens next season if he wants his vision for Javier Hernandez to come true.
The new boss envisions the forward, who earns a jaw-dropping £140,000-a-week as stated Spotrac, being an important player for the club.
This plan for Hernandez, who has only managed eight goals in 33 appearances for the London club so far, was revealed by Twitter account ExWHUemployee.
Can see a big clear out coming then, but, will Chicha stay?
— #SBOUT #SBOUT (@TheIronHammer26) May 22, 2018
Yes apparently he will do as he wants to make him in important player for us https://t.co/cOTJbts2qc
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) May 22, 2018
EXWHUemployee provides reliable insider information that more often than not is spot on with his accuracy.
While the vision of Hernandez justifying his huge wage and being an important member of the Hammers first-team is a smart idea, it’s not going to be the easiest one to pull off based on his displays in his debut season.
However if Pellegrini utilises Masuaku as a left-sided midfielder there might be a way for the manager’s vision for Hernandez to easily come true.
The 24-year-old put in an unforgettable display during the game against Leicester City in May, when David Moyes played him in midfield, as he tore the Foxes apart.
If he was able to consistently deliver that level of performance throughout a whole season, while continuing to improve his crossing ability, Hernandez would have plenty of opportunities to score from thanks to his teammate’s work.
Masuaku is able to fly down the wing, with his defensive ability questionable during the majority of his 33 appearances in the recently ended campaign, and find space to whip balls into the box.
The flyer may not be consistently delivering the goods in that department right now, registering just three assist in his latest campaign, but he seems on the brink of doing so.
Pellegrini therefore must play Masuaku higher up the pitch instead of keeping him rooted in defence, as the speedy player is more than capable of putting simple chances on a plate for Hernandez.
It’s arguable that the Mexican forward struggled at the London Stadium due to his teammates not providing the type of chances he likes, but Masuaku looks capable of feeding Hernandez the type of passes he thrives off.
Therefore Pellegrini must unshackle Masuaku of his defensive burdens as soon as the new season begins as he will see the manager’s vision of Hernandez being a vital player for his side come true.
