OPINION
If we’re being honest, West Ham probably haven’t got too much left to play for this season.
The Hammers are currently 11th in the table, five points off seventh with a game in hand, but face a tricky run in starting with a clash with Chelsea on Monday night.
Mathematically, they are more than in with a shout, but Manuel Pellegrini will feel that his team have a huge task ahead of them, and in his heart of hearts, he must be planning for next season already.
If that is the case, then he should be casting one eye on the future, and that includes bright young thing Ben Johnson.
The full-back made his debut against Manchester City earlier this year and was largely impressive, and he should be given a golden chance to impress by being given the nod against the Blues next week.
Pablo Zabaleta was disappointing last weekend against Everton, and his days are surely numbered at the top level.
As for Ryan Fredericks, he is in contention for a starting spot, and will probably lineup at Stamford Bridge, but why not give Johnson a go?
The 19-year-old has shown once that he can cut it, and Pellegrini need only look as far as Declan Rice to see the virtues of trusting in academy products.
The Irons may be fizzling out, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t still take some positives from the end of this season, and unearthing their next big thing would be a huge plus for the future.
The circumstances may not be ideal, but Johnson could really flourish by facing a top-quality opponent like Chelsea as he could pick up vital experience.
