West Ham United are ready to give Newcastle United star Isaac Hayden another chance in the Premier League. They are one of many teams in England that are ready to make a move for the former Arsenal man, who could be on his way out of Tyneside, reports the Northern Echo.
Having lost Rafa Benitez and Ayoze Perez already, Newcastle United could be in for a massive overhaul this summer and Hayden could be on his way out, with clubs like Brighton also interested in his signature.
He is expected to cost around £15m and was also a transfer target for Wolves and Watford in the past.
Hayden And His Attributes
Known for his strength and ability to win crucial tackles in the middle of the park, Hayden was a mainstay in Rafa’s midfield last season, where he was constantly used as a part of a midfield duo in a 5-4-1 system.
Hayden, who made 21 starts ended up registering four assists and one goal all season. But with 2.9 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 1.1 clearances per game to his name, the 24-year old showed his effectiveness in breaking up play just outside the box and relieving pressure on the backline.
He is a central midfielder by trait and has a keen eye for a defence-splitting pass. He is also strong in the air, rarely loses out in 50-50 situations and is ready to give his all for his team in every game.
He struggles at times to get out of pressure situations and loses the ball too often for the manager’s liking but his ability to read the game in front of him and make the right decisions more often than not, make him a decent coup for the Hammers.
What Will He Add To The West Ham Squad?
Manuel Pellegrini has a plethora of talent for the midfield roles in his squad at the moment, especially in the advanced areas. But they have room to improve in central midfield. English starlet Declan Rice, Pedro Obiang and Mark Noble have done well in patches, playing in the holding midfield roles.
They also have Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez but there are obvious question marks over the future of the duo at the club especially the Colombian’s likelihood of remaining beyond the summer. The Hammers cannot depend on Noble every week next season to partner Rice, which makes Hayden a smart choice for the manager.
Pellegrini’s style of play needs his side to keep control of the game in the middle of the park. But he does not have players who can absorb pressure and turn defence into attack quickly.
Hayden is not exactly going to solve that problem straight away but he does add a bit of urgency to the midfield, that seemed lacking more often than not last season.
At just £15m, the Newcastle United man is a risk worth taking but is he the right man to lift the club to Europe? Only time will tell.
