West Ham United need defensive reinforcements during what remains of the January transfer window.
While there are several reasons for West Ham’s current malaise – largely the decisions made at executive level – their leaky defence is an issue that requires an immediate fix.
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Not a single team in the Premier League have conceded more goals than West Ham this season (44). In fact no one in Europe’s five major leagues have conceded more.
Indeed, West Ham are trying to sign a new defender. One potential target, however, could now have been offered a lifeline by London rivals Chelsea.
Axel Disasi back in Chelsea’s first-team squad
Indeed, Chelsea’s Axel Disasi has long been linked with a move to east London.
In fact, it was even claimed this month that Chelsea had offered Disasi to West Ham, with the Frenchman also having been touted as a potential target.
Furthermore, The Daily Mail have claimed that West Ham are one of the clubs interested in the defender.
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Initially, it looked like a reasonably easy deal to do. The former Monaco defender was included in the now infamous ‘bomb squad’ at Chelsea and has not been handed a first-team appearance all season.
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However, Blues boss Liam Rosenior has now revealed something of a U-turn over the defender.
After a “good meeting” with the Frenchman, Disasi has been brought back into the first team fold.
During his pre-match press conference earlier this week, Rosenior said: “My decision on Axel: I had a really good meeting with him a couple of days ago.
“I said to the players when I came in that it’s a clean slate for everybody so it was only right for me to chat with him. He’s behind in terms of his fitness, his match fitness and we’ll work with him.”
Axel Disasi playing for Aston Villa against Manchester City in the Premier League.
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Which defenders could West Ham sign during the January transfer window?
Such is the pressing need to sign further reinforcements, the Chelsea star obviously isn’t the only defender on the radar right now.
Indeed, West Ham are interested in Charlie Cresswell after the trail had previously gone somewhat cold amid interest from Wolfsburg.
Elsewhere, Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock is thought to be a West Ham transfer target.
It’s clear that the club simply have to make a signing there. Unless the defence is fixed – and new signings would go a long way into helping that – then relegation is almost a certainty.
West Ham made a promising start to the January transfer window by landing two forwards. Now, they must supplement that with defensive signings.
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