West Ham United have had a topsy turvy season till this point. After a horrendous start, they have managed to find their feet but the consistency Pellegrini is striving for has been hard to attain. A couple of wins has inevitably been followed by a series of defeats.
The London club spent lavishly in the summer transfer window so as to stabilise their team after a forgettable campaign in the last term. However, injuries to a number of key players have made it hard for Manuel Pellegrini to field a starting eleven of his initial choice yet.
With the club spending a fortune in the summer, it was expected that January will be a quiet time in the market for Pellegrini and co. But one big addition made was former Arsenal and Manchester City midfield ace Samir Nasri. The familiarity between the player and the coach was a factor in the deal getting over the line.
The player has already made his first couple of appearances putting in a decent shift in the midfield for his new club. With all the previous experience he has in the Premier League, he can be a very good inclusion to the West Ham lineup in their midfield.
With the January transfer window done and dusted, let us take a look at what their strongest possible lineup could be taking into account the current injury predicament.
Goalkeeper
Lukasz Fabianski has looked in tremendous form this season and is the bonafide choice between the sticks.
Defence
Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna are no-brainers in central defence especially in the absence of Fabian Balbuena. Pablo Zabaleta has settled in perfectly at the London Stadium and has put all his experience to use in his stint with the Hammers. He will be the right-back while Aaron Cresswell should be preferred ahead of Arthur Masuaku.
Midfield
Declan Rice has been in decent form this season and has put in shifts both as a central midfielder and as a defensive midfielder. He is set to start in his familiar role as a defensive screen in front of the back four.
With the likes of Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez sidelined with injuries, Mark Noble will start in midfield alongside Samir Nasri, who just about edges Pedro Obiang out in Pellegrini’s attacking lineup. The Frenchman will, of course, be allowed to venture into the final third when in possession leaving most of the defensive work to the pair or Noble and Rice.
Felipe Anderson has arguably been their best player and he is a nailed on starter on the left-wing while Robert Snodgrass is slightly ahead of Antonio in the pecking order for a spot on the right flank.
Attack
Marko Arnautovic is West Ham’s best bet to lead the line with Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Lucas Perez coming off the bench if required.
Predicted Formation: 4-1-4-1
