Out of sorts Everton midfielder James McCarthy is a transfer target for West Ham United this January, according to the Daily Mail. The Irish international, who is yet to make an appearance for Everton this season, is finally back to full fitness and is also wanted by Premier League side Fulham.
McCarthy And His Troubles:
Having joined the Toffees from Wigan back in 2013, the 28-year old was a first-team star at Goodison Park for three long years before slowly losing his place in the side in 2017. He managed just four Premier League appearances in the previous season before he suffered a double fracture on his right leg.
He is now fit for selection but Marco Silva has all but ignored him, which has fueled the rumours that he might be on his way out of the club this January, on loan.
The Midfield Engine Pellegrini Is Searching For:
Standing in the top 10 in the Premier League after the draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, the Hammers have enough firepower to try and finish closer to a place in Europe, come the end of the season. But there are a few areas that their new manager wants to improve on, starting with adding some mettle to their midfield.
Chilean international Gary Medel, who has been on West Ham’s radar for quite a while now, is also linked with a move to London this month but McCarthy’s experience in the Premier League previously with Everton might be what potentially makes him valuable to this West Ham side.
Mark Noble, who is now 31 and Declan Rice, who is still 19 seem to be the preferred players in the midfield for Pellegrini while Pedro Obiang remains a decent option for the deep midfield role. However, McCarthy will not only add another name to the midfield options that the manager can call upon during the business end of the season but he also gives them another dimension, which could help them get the best out of players in attacking roles.
The experienced Mark Noble has not been at his best but the authority he brings to the West Ham midfield is not easily replaceable. Rice has been excellent in bursts in the deep-lying midfield role while Robert Snodgrass adds a bit of creativity to the midfield. But the addition of McCarthy will allow the Hammers to try different variants of their midfield, making them a more balanced outfit.
McCarthy can play as a part of the midfield, adding numbers to the backline when needed. His ability to win the ball back quickly and his eye for a forward pass will make Pellegrini’s system all the more effective.
This move might hinder the progress of one Carlos Sanchez but if McCarthy can fit in well at the London Stadium, it might also help West Ham slowly integrate Sanchez in his preferred role, making the side much more difficult to beat.
At just 28, the Everton man is still in his prime but will need time to get back to his best after a career-threatening injury. So he might not be an immediate fix for the issues at West Ham at the moment. However, taking him on loan until the end of the season will be a decent acquisition for the Hammers and could end up being a productive move for the midfielder as well.