Most would agree that West Ham United boss Nuno Espírito Santo ideally wants to play a 4-4-2, with Taty Castellanos and Pablo leading the line.
But with Pablo currently out injured, that system looks unworkable until the Portuguese forward returns— especially given that Callum Wilson simply doesn’t have the energy levels required to operate at the ferocious pace Nuno demands from his front two.
At the same time, Pablo’s injury has coincided with Jean-Clair Todibo returning from his three-match suspension following his red card against Chelsea FC.
And that has handed Nuno something of a pleasant problem.
Such has been the form of Konstantinos Mavropanos that he’s almost made himself undroppable. Meanwhile, January loanee [Axel Disasi](https://www.claretandhugh.info/disasi-looks-real-deal-west-ham-captain-call-sparks-selection-headache-for-nuno/) has also impressed and given no reason to be left out.
Considering Disasi hadn’t played competitive football for almost seven months, his fitness levels have been surprisingly strong — which probably says plenty about the intensity of training at Chelsea.
The issue for Nuno is this: Todibo has arguably been West Ham’s best defender this season.
So who misses out?
Could Nuno Finally Make a Back Three Stick?
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Which brings us to the obvious question: could Nuno finally switch to a back three against AFC Bournemouth?
It’s a system he’s flirted with before but never truly made work — largely because West Ham simply haven’t had three top-level centre-backs available at the same time.
Maybe that’s about to change.
A back three would solve two problems in one: it keeps Mavropanos, Disasi and Todibo on the pitch, while also allowing [Jarrod Bowen](https://www.claretandhugh.info/jarrod-bowen-bio/) and Crysencio Summerville to operate in more dangerous advanced roles.
So, purely hypothetically, here’s what that side could look like:
Hermansen (GK)
Mavropanos (CB) Disasi (CB) Todibo (CB)
Wan-Bissaka (RWB) Diouf (LWB)
Soucek (CM) Fernandes (CM)
Bowen (RAM) Summerville (LAM)
Castellanos (CF)
Whether Nuno actually goes down this route… who knows?
But it does address two major issues in one formation — and might finally give the gaffer an answer to the question created by transfer window inactivity on deadline day. The welcome news from earlier that Pablo might not be absent for the rest of the season adds further to the permutations – in a positive way!
Let me know what you’d do in the comments.
Would you stick with a back four — or is it time to roll the dice with three at the back?