Manager Nuno Espírito Santo has got a massive decision on his hands ahead of Sunday’s trip to Villa Park. A decision in which someone is going to be very disappointed indeed. The Hammers boss played three at the back to brilliant effect in last week’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City, but the defensive switch was forced on him by the absence of Crysencio Summerville.
Should Summerville return to the team for the game against Aston Villa, it will likely mean Nuno has to revert to a back four and two centre-backs, meaning he’s going to have to drop somebody who has been truly outstanding. Konstantinos Mavropanos was the goal-scoring and defensive colossus during the match against City, and Jean-Clair Todibo’s performance was one of the best displays of defending I’ve seen this season.
Mavropanos scores against Manchester City
Mavropanos has been outstanding for West Ham
Three into two doesn’t go
Factor in Axel Disasi, who has been a major reason for West Ham’s improved defending since arriving on loan from Chelsea in January, and it’s easy to see three into two won’t be easy. At the very least, it will be a test of Nuno’s man-management because all can make a case for not being dropped.
The easy solution, of course, would be to continue with three centre-backs, but that would mean dropping either Taty Castellanos or Pablo from the starting line-up, which is not something I’m sure Nuno will be keen to do.
Most Read on West Ham News
Either way, they’re nice problems to have.