OPINION
After stating his desire to be back in Manuel Pellegrini’s squad contention Carlos Sanchez should be wrapped in wool until the end of the season.
The Colombian midfielder is only just in the process of returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with a long-term knee injury, and it’s worth taking the risk.
Sanchez may be hoping to feature but there should be no issue in saving him until next season.
“I’m fit for the last three games,” Sanchez told the official Hammers’ website.
“I hope next week to be in the squad for the first time since a long time ago. I’m happy to be back.”
The 33-year old hasn’t featured in a claret and blue strip since the Hammers’ 8-0 victory over Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup back in September 2018.
Although Sanchez is seen by many Hammers fans as a bit of a enigma after only featuring a few times, his return to fitness must not be taken lightly.
Considering his age, and the fact that he has only just recovered from a knee injury suffered at the back end of last year, it certainly wouldn’t be too smart of an idea for Pellegrini to throw him in to the deep end at the weekend, as West Ham face Spurs.
It would not be worth the risk to involve him in the side straight away, especially in a game against a club like Tottenham Hotspur.
A high-paced derby which is bound to have a few meaty tackles certainly is not the ideal place for a player to make their long-awaited return from injury.
Instead, Sanchez should be kept in good care for as long as possible, to reduce the risk of another long-lasting injury problem.
Although the Colombian midfielder may be given a handful of minutes towards the end of Saturdays fixture, starting him from the off would not be the smartest of moves.
This means Pellegrini should crush the midfielder’s hope and wrap him in cotton wool against Spurs instead of playing him.
