Santo wants more defensive depthplaceholder image
Santo wants more defensive depth | Getty Images
West Ham are expected to wrap up a new signing ahead of Monday’s 7pm deadline.
West Ham are expected to complete another deal on deadline day as they look to strengthen further for their relegation battle. The Hammers are now six points from safety after giving up a two-goal lead to lose against Chelsea then see Nottingham Forest draw with Crystal Palace to extend their lead.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men did look good in large spells at Stamford Bridge, though, and they know it is not the games against top four or five opposition that will define their season, and indeed their survival bid.
But West Ham are going to need to find a consistent run of form and prove they can consistently pick up points if they want to catch Forest, who are looking like a solid outfit under Sean Dyche.
January transfers will help, with West Ham having strengthened already with the signings of Taty Castellanos, Felipe Pablo, Keiber Lamadrid and Adama Traore. But there could be another one to come,
According to Sky Sports, West Ham want to sign a centre-back after allowing Igor Julio to return to Brighton following a disappointing and unimpactful loan spell. That opens up a spot for the Iron, and according to Sky Sports, they are now ‘expected’ to complete the loan signing of Axel Disasi from Chelsea.
Disasi was frozen out by former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and hasn’t played since his loan spell with Aston Villa last season. Liam Rosenior has welcomed the defender back to his training, but still with the expectation the defender will leave this month to get up to speed with his fitness.
Rosenior said recently: “Axel is someone I've really, really liked as a player for a long time. Honestly, I have to have a conversation with them. I have to have a conversation with the club. I'm being genuinely honest. I literally have got to work through a list of priorities. I will do in the next few days."
Disasi was later welcomed back to training, but he was still likely told that he wouldn’t get his chance in the second half of this season.
Disasi will offer a significant boost to West Ham’s back-line, bringing top-level experience, but given his lack of involvement at Chelsea, there will be some concerns over his fitness and how long it will take him to get up to speed.
Santo’s relegation battle verdict
Speaking after West Ham’s heartbreaking Chelsea defeat, Santo said: “There's a lot of football to be played. As long as we can keep maintaining the levels of performance like we did in the first half, we're going to win matches, of course.
“But this match, honestly, with all the respect that I have for Chelsea, it should be our game, we should have it. We have to react this week and prepare well for a game against a tough team that's going to be Burnley. We have to prepare properly.”
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