OPINION
West Ham United need a bit more solidity in their midfield next season, there’s no doubt about that. They struggled to find quality strength in depth this time out.
Declan Rice was phenomenal, of course, while Mark Noble produced another fine campaign. Beyond that, though… well, there’s not much to write home about.
It makes sense, then, that the Daily Star reported on Friday that Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden is the club’s number one choice to reinforce the middle of the park.
The 6ft 1in Magpies star [Source: Transfermarkt] is coming off the back of an excellent campaign with Rafael Benitez’s side, and has a long-held desire to move down south to be closer to his young family.
Hammers director of football Mario Husillos needs to pull out all the stops, here, to ensure that his team secure the signing of a criminally underrated Premier League midfielder. Hayden is an extremely consistent operator, which is what the team needs after suffering through Pedro Obiang and the injury-hit Jack Wilshere this term.
The 24-year-old is a similar sort of player to Noble, a strong, box-to-box midfielder who provides the energy alongside the undoubted quality of Rice. Who knows, he could even prove to be the West Ham captain’s successor.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini should be looking for proven top flight midfielders, and Hayden fits that bill expertly. He is just coming into his own for Newcastle and has made huge strides over the past few months.
Hayden would likely be a big hit at the London Stadium. He has the engine, the attitude and the quality to win the supporters’ hearts and make him a key part of Pellegrini’s plans.
