OPINION
In terms of providing some extra depth in the squad, West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini must look ahead to the future.
Considering long-term options is vital in order to maintain a steady progression, and one position that he must contemplate is the left-back role.
Aaron Cresswell – who is currently on £50,000-a-week [Spotrac] – has struggled in recent times when operating in the role, which is why Pellegrini must consider a swoop for a younger alternative in the January transfer window.
Step forward Jamal Lewis, a young defender who currently represents Norwich City.
In June, talkSPORT correspondent Geoff Peters claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Hammers were monitoring the 20-year-old – but they must renew that interest in January to provide the cover that the left-back role currently needs.
Norwich have offered Jamal Lewis a new deal in light of major interest from Bournemouth and Watford.
West Ham, Burnley and Celtic are also monitoring him.#ncfc value Lewis at £10m+ but the highly rated 20 year old, capped by Northern Ireland, is in no rush to leave Carrow Road.— Mr Geoff Peters (@mrgeoffpeters) June 27, 2018
Yes, the young ace would not make a bid for the first team straight away, but he can deputise for Cresswell until he is good enough to take his place in the starting 11.
He has established himself as a regular at Norwich, and Pellegrini must take a punt on bringing the youngster to the London Stadium.
If he joined forces with the Irons, he has the potential to be Cresswell’s long-term successor, who has not been the same player since his long-term injury.
He needs a young player to provide healthy competition at left-back, and Lewis is the perfect player to take the step up from the Championship to provide that.
The defender has a lot of potential and he could become a top player one day if he joined the ranks of West Ham.
Left-back is a position that Pellegrini must be prioritising in January, and he must look no further Norwich’s Lewis.
He needs to plot a swoop for defender in the New Year in order to provide the club with a long-term option.
