West Ham United have had a pretty disappointing season so far as the team have struggled to show the consistency you’d expected from a side with good players. A toothless defeat against Brighton followed impressive results against Everton and Manchester United, and that has left the team three places above the relegation zone.
The transfer window saw the Hammers spend a lot of money on attacking reinforcements, but the defence still looks weak. Reports from the Mirror claim that West Ham could take advantage of Gary Cahill’s situation at Chelsea to improve their backline.
Cahill hasn’t been able to break into the first team as often as he would like as the duo of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger seem to be the preferred centre-half pairing this season.
How Cahill’s potential arrival could help West Ham United
West Ham have tested an entirely new defence in Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena. However, the two didn’t have any experience of playing in the Premier League, which is why the Hammers looked porous when the season began.
Though results and performances have improved, someone experienced, like Cahill, could help the team with the organisation.
Cahill is 32 and might be past his peak, but if he is playing alongside someone like Diop, he could be a capable defender. The pace is the only thing he seems to have lost, which is why Sarri has preferred Rudiger alongside Luiz.
Cahill’s passing and aerial prowess are his biggest strengths, and unlike the players West Ham have right now, he can organise the defence by being vocal on the pitch.
It’s important to understand that Cahill will not be a long-term signing, but he can play a role in adding more stability at the back so that the likes of Diop and Balbuena eventually become more comfortable at the back.
The Hammers have a good midfield, and if Jack Wilshere can find his best form, he can act as the bridge between the midfield and attack. Cahill could do the same as he can link the defence to midfield with his good distribution.
Cahill’s contract expires next summer which means the club can get him for cheap. He still has a couple of years of top-flight football left in him, so he wouldn’t be a bad signing at all.