Could Malick Diouf Play In A Different Role This Season For West Ham?

El Hadji Malick Diouf was signed last season by the Hammers for a £19m fee, he was seen as the ‘perfect player’ for Graham Potter's tactical style and whilst he flourished under the Englishman…. He was the only player to flourish, and upon Nuno’s arrival, Diouf had to adapt to a new tactic and style that he wasn’t always used to.

As West Ham have progressed through the transfer window, they have become one of two clubs to make one signing or less heading into the campaign. One of the primary reasons for this being of course, the difficulty behind the scenes orchestrating new ownership as higher-ups; however, seeing as the Hammers have faced this difficulty, could they perhaps opt for a left-field approach by utilising the tools that they already have?

West Ham have made it clear that they do not want to sell anymore first team players this window as they don’t need the money and are hoping to retain their core, numerous clubs have been interested in Malick Diouf, but all offers that have come in for him, including Brentford’s offer yesterday, have been far off the mark, and it would require a substantial fee, around £45-£50m to see a sale be made.

With Diouf likely to remain at the club, could West Ham seek a position change for the Senegalese? With Crysencio Summerville officially completing his move to Al-Hilal yesterday and West Ham not being linked with a replacement yet, could Nuno seek to convert Diouf into a winger, leaving Scarles to remain at the starting left back, whilst Diouf is allowed to push further forward.

Diouf often played a more wide midfielder role at Slavia Prague where the Hammers bought him from, across last season, he received much criticism regarding his defending and whilst he had his moments, all in all they weren’t consistent enough, perhaps a more attacking position is the way to go.

It would come as a shock to see Malick Diouf leave West Ham this season and it’s simply just a matter of what Nuno likes the idea of, without signing a replacement, it’s Diouf or Lamadrid replacing Summerville for next season… time will tell but it wouldn’t be the first time that West Ham have attempted a bizarre position change.