OPINION
There won’t be too many people betting on West Ham United getting anything from their London derby with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
However, there are a couple of things manager Manuel Pellegrini can do to increase his side’s chances, and chief amongst them is recalling striker Javier Hernandez.
The Mexican missed last weekend’s draw with Leicester City due to an ear infection. However, Football London reported on Tuesday that he is now back in training and will be assessed ahead of the Spurs game.
There doesn’t seem like there’s any reason why he wouldn’t pass that assessment. He was out with an ear infection after all, not a broken leg. No, there seems to be every indication that the 30-year-old will be fit and raring to go at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
With that said, why wouldn’t you start him? It’s not like Marko Arnautovic pulled up any trees against the Foxes. One man who did, though, is 30-year-old Lucas Perez.
With that in mind, perhaps Pellegrini should pair the Spaniard with the Mexican on Saturday.
That’s not a partnership we’ve seen very often this season, if at all, but it is one that could potentially flourish. They would certainly both provide a genuine goal threat in the Spurs box, and could be lethal if both working in-sync.
Priority one should be unleashing Hernandez, though. He’s not enjoyed his finest season this time round, but he remains the club’s most natural and clinical goalscorer, which is what you need when you’re playing the big teams.
Tottenham are undoubtedly a big team, so you need someone who can make use of the few opportunities your team gets. Hernandez is that man. Pellegrini must hand his side a big boost by starting the former Manchester United man on Saturday.
