Manuel Pellegrini is seeking to repair a dressing room divide at West Ham, according to The Sun.
A report from the tabloid suggests that the Chilean is dealing with a torn squad, with some players dissatisfied with the quality of defending on show during the 3-0 defeat to Burnley over the weekend.
Speaking to The Sun, a club source reportedly said: “There is a feeling they are not defending as a team, that everyone has a responsibility to help out.
“It’s not a massive problem, more of a gripe. But it’s one of those that needs addressing.”
OPINION
The last thing West Ham need right now is for their squad to turn on each other. This is no doubt a testing period for the Hammers, with no Premier League wins in six matches, but they’re not going to remedy that slump by bickering and in-fighting. With that in mind, this is where Pellegrini will have to earn his keep. Football management is about a lot more than tactical awareness, of which he has shown fairly little in recent matches. It is also about man-management, and the ability to get everybody pulling in the right direction. Undoubtedly, the Hammers have a very talented squad, and they are still within touching distance of that fabled European spot they crave so greatly, but they will never reach it if they are unable to resolve internal issues. Hopefully this international break will give Pellegrini the chance to smooth things over, and the Irons can come back revitalised after it.