OPINION
West Ham United have an extremely strong starting centre back partnership with Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop, but there isn’t much depth behind the pair.
Winston Reid is out with a long term injury and the timeline for his return is unknown, while Calcio Mercato reported recently that Angelo Ogbonna is being lined up for a return to Italy.
A move for wantaway Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen could be just the ticket for the Hammers. The former Arsenal man appears to be ready for a fresh start after four years in Spain.
Mundo Deportivo reported on Monday that the Belgium international won’t stay at the Camp Nou once his contract expires at the end of the season, and the 33-year-old’s preference is a return to the Premier League where he flourished with the Gunners.
While an injury prone veteran doesn’t necessarily sound like a solution to West Ham’s lack of defensive depth, the talent that Vermaelen possesses makes him a risk worth taking for manager Manuel Pellegrini.
When he is fully fit the Belgian remains a top class centre half, and he proved as much with Barca last season. He played 20 times for Ernesto Valverde’s side in all competitions and was a solid presence at the heart of the team’s defence.
Vermaelen’s ability on the ball and his proficiency when bringing play out from the back is something that the Hammers don’t really have at the moment.
Additionally, the player’s ability to play at left back as well as centre back marks him out as someone that Pellegrini should be pursuing.
The Chilean has struggled to find a solution on the left hand side of the defence this campaign, and Vermaelen could represent a solid option for the West Ham boss.
Vermaelen’s injury track record makes him a risky proposition for any club, but the East London club’s need outweighs the potential pitfalls. They should certainly be considering a swoop for the Belgian in the near future.
