Santo could have a very solid XI going forwardplaceholder image
Santo could have a very solid XI going forward | Getty Images
A look at the possible West Ham starting XI for after the January window based on recent rumours.
West Ham continue to work on new deals ahead of next week’s January transfer deadline having already wrapped up three new arrivals. The Hammers have built up a little momentum of late, winning back-to-back games, beating Tottenham and Sunderland.
Now five points behind, the Iron chiefs are backing Nuno Espirito Santo in the market in a bid to spark a real survival bid. With that in mind, we have put together a possible West Ham starting XI for after the window if some of the recent rumours prove true, and it is indeed a very solid XI that should be capable of giving survival a real go.
GK - Stefan Ortega
The Manchester City keeper has been linked with a move to West Ham in this window, with talk Santo reportedly looking to upgrade on Alphonse Areola. The Iron have also been linked with Tottenham’s back-up Antonin Kinsky, so there seems to be fire and not just smoke.
RWB - Aaron Wan-Bissaka
West Ham could switch to a back five for reasons we will come to later, and Wan-Bissaka would be a likely starter on the right if that was the case. It would also be interesting to see Crysencio Summerville here, but it would be a big risk defensively. New signing Adam Traore would also play here regularly, most likely, but Wan-Bissaka gets the nod due to being more defensive secure, and that should come first in a relegation battle.
CB - Konstantinos Mavropanos
One of West Ham’s clear starters at centre-back, Mavropanos is likely to remain a key part of Santo’s defensive plans.
CB - Jean-Clair Todibo
The same can be said of Todibo, who is a likely starter.
CB - Axel Disasi
West Ham are said to be closing in on the signing of Chelsea defender Disasi. He may not be an instant starter as he catches up with fitness having not played for months, but the signing of Disasi would allow Santo to play a back five, as he has during some of his more successful spells as a manager.
LWB - El Hadji Malick Diouf
The back five would also allow Diouf to play in arguably his best position as a left wing-back. Oliver Scarles is also an option here, as may be new signing Keiber Lamadrid, but he is more of an attacking player.
CM - Mateus Fernandes
Fernandes has found form and will likely remain a starter in midfield for much of the rest of the season.
CM - Tomas Soucek
Soucek has started plenty of late and with success, so he will likely remain a starter.
CM - Freddie Potts
In this system, with three out and out midfielders, the logical option would be to bring Freddie Potts back into the starting lineup. A midfielder signing could be wise if West Ham are going to play five at the back, which does seem likely based on the new signings, but few have been linked.
CAM - Jarrod Bowen
Bowen could play in an almost interchangeable role with new striker Taty Castellanos in a bid to really get the front line going. If West Ham do play a back five, they would need to put more eggs in the attacking basket, and a Bowen and Castellanos front line would be a dangerous one. Summerville could also play in a more central role here, as could Pablo Felipe.
ST - Taty Castellanos
Castellanos has made a big impact so far, and he is likely to keep his place going forward, at least while he is in form. Callum Wilson and the aforementioned Pablo are also good options up top.
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