West Ham have slummed down the Premier League table. Having started the season as outsiders to push for the top six they have dropped from third to 16th hovering above the relegation zone. So where do the Irons need to strengthen in the upcoming transfer window?
Right Back
The Hammers have struggled defensively this season conceding a total of 28 goals and an ongoing issue the club has had over the years in securing a top right back.
Argentinian Pablo Zabaleta is retiring at the end of the 19/20 season and with Ryan Fredericks now stepping us as Manuel Pellegrini’s starting right back they need to find another fullback either in January or the summer.
An issue with Zabaleta is his pace, despite his positive leadership qualities he lacks pace and that is obvious for the 34-year-old.
Current academy player Ben Johnson is another option at right-back but his lack of first-team experience is a negative. So it looks like the East London club will have to look to the transfer market to bring in a starting or even back up fullback.
At the moment there are no obvious targets on the market that could potentially suit the Hammers, but if rumours are true about Issa Diop potentially moving to London rivals Tottenham this would open up the budget for a right-back option.
Right Wing/Right Midfield
Another area West Ham need to strengthen is right midfield. With Antonio returning to the Hammers starting lineup playing up front alongside summer signing Sebastian Haller, the Irons options of a right-winger are limited to Robert Snodgrass and Andriy Yarmolenko.
The issue West Ham have when it comes to a winger is someone who lacks spark, despite good form early on in the season, Yarmolenko lacks speed and the attacking flow that Haller needs when he is upfront.
A player who the Hammers have been linked with is Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen.
The 22-year-old has been a key part of the Championship sides attack this season scoring 16 goals in 22 appearances.
The issue West Ham have when it comes to a winger is someone who lacks spark, despite good form early on in the season, Yarmolenko lacks speed and the attacking flow that Haller needs when he is upfront.
Hull City are rumoured to be wanting in the region of £15m for the Englishman and this is a price that some fans believe the Hammers might be unwilling to pay.
Goalkeeper
With Fabianski out with a hip injury, West Ham have been weak in defence, and a factor in this is a goalkeeper who can organise a defence.
Fabianski’s leadership at the back is evident, having made close to 200 appearances in the Premier League for both Arsenal and Swansea he knows how to play in the big games and organise the defenders that are in front of him.
This is something that both Roberto and David Martin have failed to do in my opinion.
A target of the Hammers come the transfer window is Asmir Begovic.
The former Stoke and Chelsea shot-stopper has made 62 appearances for Bournemouth but was shipped out on a 6-month loan to Azerbaijani side Qarabag.
At 32 years of age, the Bosnian international would be a perfect back up for first choice Fabianski, his premier league experience shows he is able to manage football of the highest quality.
He has a clean sheet percentage of 60% this season, failing to concede in six of his last ten games in goal.
This is a stat that even at a lower level is impressive and catches the eye of many a pundit. So far this season, the Hammers have kept just five cleans sheets themselves, with David Martin having two of those against Southampton and Chelsea.
In conclusion, if the Hammers want to push for Europe again and regain their previous form from earlier in the season they need to be busy in January and strengthen themselves even further.
