OPINION
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini must start Pablo Zabaleta against Bournemouth on Saturday the only issue is which player should he drop to make room for him as he has so many to choose from.
Several Hammers players put in lacklustre displays against Liverpool on Saturday as Jurgen Klopp’s side barely got out of third gear to overcome Pellegrini’s side even though they ran out 4-0 winners.
While several will point out that Pellegrini perhaps got some of his tactics wrong against the Reds, the case remains that several players failed to cover themselves in glory to say the least.
Among those who under-performed were Declan Rice, Mark Noble, Ryan Fredericks and Jack Wilshere just to name a few with only one or two players managing to impress.
Zabaleta was an unused substitute for the game against the Reds on Sunday and it’s clear that he would be able to help his side instantly bounce back from their heavy defeat against Bournemouth if deployed.
The 33-year-old right-back, whose current contract sees him rake in £75,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), was one of the Hammers’ standout performers last season as he used his experience to consistently submit impressive displays.
Zabaleta was also a highlight of the Hammers’ 2017-18 campaign as he moved around the team in order to help his side out, showcasing his versatility, when David Moyes was struggling for options in midfield.
The Premier League veteran looked just as at home in the centre of midfield as he has done in the position of right-back in the few games that he was used as a central midfielder last season.
Given that Noble, Rice and Wilshere should all be facing the axe following a terrible time against Liverpool, then Pellegrini could look to add Zabaleta to his starting line up v the Cherries by axing one of the midfield trio.
It was previously reported by West Ham Way that the experienced boss was ready to deploy the 33-year-old in his midfield in order to have Ryan Fredericks playing at right-back as Pellegrini is no doubt aware of the former Fulham man’s deadly pace.
However on the subject of Fredericks, he had a terrible time at right-back against the Reds and was at fault for a least a couple of their goals so his place in jeopardy.
Zabaleta is the superior defender when compared to Fredericks but doesn’t have the same attacking threat as the speedy 25-year-old.
Given that Bournemouth should be an easier game compared to the match against the Reds, but you never know, then Pellegrini may opt to keep Fredericks in his team as he will no doubt be less defensively tested against the Cherries.
This all means that while it is clear that Zabaleta should be added back into the Hammers’ starting line-up for the next fixture, given how many players played badly against the Reds, Pellegrini has a decision to make about who to drop in order to make way for the veteran.
