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Although pre-season games don't always give a true picture of how a team will be prepared to start the new season, one glaringly obvious fact has emerged, namely Hammers are woefully short of defensive midfielder, a situation made more pronounced by the imminent departure of Pedro Obiang from the London Stadium. Declan Rice is the number one choice, but with Obiang gone the only recognised first team player is Carlos Sanchez who's woeful performances have been truly lamentable.

Reports emanating from across the pond are suggesting New York Red Bulls defender Aaron Long has been offered to West Ham this summer, with the 26-year-old available for a bargain £4 Million. Long has been in fine form for the Red Bulls, making 83 league appearances across three campaigns with the Major League Soccer side. He also won the 2018 MLS Defender of the Year award.

If West Ham had played a full strength team against Newcastle in the Asia Trophy Cup and ran out comfortable winners, fans would have said "So What, it's only Newcastle". Paradoxically by playing a weakened team Manuel Pelegrini has been roundly criticised! In case it has escaped the cognosenti, these Asia Trophy matches are warm up games for the Barclays Premier League 'proper'. The games are a focal taster of what the best league in the World can offer, and as such are friendlies with a bit of bite.