Who Makes Way As Pellegrini Assembles Top 6 Side?

Even the most begrudging of supporters must surely be giving the Hammers board some credit for the recent business they have recently conducted, the early arrival of Pablo Fornals followed by the record signing of Sebastian Haller is a show of real intent by the club.

Joining Felipe Anderson, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena who all signed at the start of last season, Fornals and Haller will help to provide a very solid starting eleven. When you add in Andrily Yarmolenko, Jack Wilshere and Manu Lanzini who were all unavailable for almost the entirety of last season, there is the potential of a team to be reckoned with.

The goal keeping side of things is more than covered, Fabianski and new signings Roberto and David Martin tick all the necessary boxes. The full back situation may need attention but for the coming season at least things should be OK. At right back the role will be mainly taken up by Ryan Fredericks and Pablo Zabaleta, left backs Authur Masuaku and Aaron Cresswell are supplemented by young Ben Johnson who can play at right or left back.

The centre back pairing of Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop is superb, but as was the case last season a decent back up player is required to cover injury or suspension, Pedro Obiang is the obvious choice but there is more than a possibility that he will be sold shortly, as is the case with Angelo Ogbonna, so this is an area that needs strengthening, although the forgotten man Winston Reid might have something to say on the issue.

The first name on the team sheet is Declan Rice as the number one defensive midfielder, but it is who joins him that will probably give manager Manuel Pellegrini the biggest headache. El Pel is spoiled for choice when it comes to mid field players, he will have the option of picking from several really exciting prospects, the newly fit pair of Lanzini and Wilshere will vye for places along with Robert Snodgrass, and Mr West Ham, captain Mark Noble, there are also a plethora of youngsters coming through the ranks to occupy the midfield slots.

Now we arrive at the business end, Haller will obviously play up top and logic would dictate Yarmolenko on one wing and Anderson on the other to ping in the crosses, a delightful prospect for Hammers fans, but what about those who don't make the final cut? Part of being a good manager is keeping all the players happy, part of being a great manager it to keep the entire squad happy!

That squad being assembled will include a very good 'established' player in each position, and either a good young, or experienced old professional, player as back up. Some of the peripheral players will want to go, but some will want to stay around and see if they can impress the manager. Inevitably there will be some players who feel agrieved at what they might see as a snub, but the team comes first, and if they don't like it they know where the door is! Happy daze - Ed