OPINION
Central midfield is proving to be a nightmare position for West Ham United this season. Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez are currently out injured, while captain Mark Noble is only just returning from suspension.
Additionally, Declan Rice and Pedro Obiang produced their worst performances of the season in the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town last time out.
It’s clear that this is an area of the pitch that the Hammers need to improve, and a move for Derby County midfielder Tom Huddlestone could be just the ticket for manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The Chilean’s summer move for Sanchez showed that he is preferable to a low cost move for a veteran player. Huddlestone, at 31 years of age, would be just that, even if it is a shock swoop.
The former England international also has traits that none of the team’s current midfielders possess. He is a remarkable passer of the football, and impressed in patches for his last team Hull City a couple of seasons ago.
His range of passing cannot be matched by Rice, Wilshere, Obiang, Sanchez or even Wilshere. He is capable of completing cross field balls that open up the game, while at 6ft 2in [Source: Transfermarkt] he is a robust presence in the middle of the park.
He’s been in and out of the Rams line up under Frank Lampard this term, but he made 47 appearances in all competitions for the club last season, and his lack of game time could see him available at a cut price.
He still has the quality to make an impact at Premier League level, while his slight lack of mobility would be masked by having Rice, Noble and Obiang around him.
Those players have the legs to take the pressure off Huddlestone and allow him to do what he does best – spray the ball about and make things happen.
This would be a bit of a left field move, but it’s one that would be low-cost, low-risk and could end up paying huge dividends as a genius bargain for the Hammers over the course of the campaign.
