What do West Ham need to do this summer?

 It's been a rough season so far for the Irons. Being involved in the relegation battle all season long, playing stale and uninventive football, though it could all end with the dream of a European trophy. Even if European success is brought to the club I think it's clear some major changes need to be made this summer to freshen up the side and evolve it to suit ways the game has evolved over the past year which has seen our form dwindle.

Fullbacks

A problem that has seemed to persist for years at West Ham is a weakness at fullback. Over the years Cresswell and Coufal have hit bright spots of form but for many years players like Fredericks, Masuaku and Carl Jenkinson have defined the sort of player who have failed for us at fullback. This year Cresswell has endured a dip in his performance with his creative and defensive output dropping massively with his legs clearly now gone. Coufal has had some good performances but his ability on the ball has been extremely poor with a low pass completion rate of 66% and according to FBref that stat puts him in the bottom 2% compared to players across some of Europe's top leagues this season and with one measly assist something needs changing.

I think the defence needs to be evolving we've seen many top teams this year evolve to have a system where one defender pushes into central midfield and creates a box of passing routes which allow constant options forwards, sideways and backwards which has been seen with John Stones at Manchester City, Zinchenko at Arsenal and recently Liverpool adopting this system which as improved their form and made Trent look as good as he did when they won the title a few years ago.

There are several players who could fulfil this role for us and for a decent price as well.

Ryan Manning - Value: £2.5 million

Ryan Manning has been one of the best players in the Championship this season and would be a great option at a low fee for West Ham this summer. Previously playing in midfield for Swansea, Manning definitely fits the bill for the modern fullback comfortably being able to step into midfield. Manning is a hugely creative fullback and though it's unlikely he would keep up his stats as he moves into the premier league compared to some of Europe's top league's Manning is in the top 1% of players in his position for shot creating actions, the top 2% for progressive passes received which shows his ability to move up the pitch and get into smart positions to receive the ball and most importantly turns these advanced stats into real number with 5 goals and 10 assists this season.

Gjis Smal - Value: £4 million

While perhaps a more rogue shout, Gjis Smal should be on the shortlist for a multitude of clubs across Europe this season. His attacking output this year for FC Twente has been excellent with 1 goal and 9 assists being an exciting passer out on the left flank which would fulfil what Cresswell was able to do for a time for the squad providing great crossing and progressive passes with Smal being in the top 3% across fullbacks in Europe for progressive passes and shot creating actions. Again Smal would provide a cheaper financial option for the Hammers though it would have to be seen if he could adapt to the Premier League.

Antonee Robinson - Value: £12 million

Robinson was a previous West Ham target and could find himself back on the Irons shortlist this summer after a solid season for a solid Fulham side. Robinson would provide something different to the previously mentioned potions. He would give the backline more stability with solid defensive output being in the top 11%  for interceptions and top 15% for blocks as well as being decently comfortable going forward being in the top 13% for progressive carries and top 18% for successful take-ons. When looking at Robinson's season heatmap he would comfortable sitting narrower in the backline allowing his fellow fullback to push forward creating a back three of sorts with most likely Aguerd and Zouma.

Stefan Posch - Value: £10 million

Posch has enjoyed a solid season in his new position at right back this year under Thiago Motta at Bologna. He would be perfect at sitting narrower and providing defensive solidity in a makeshift back three that would allow the left back to move into midfield or bomb forward. He isn't just defensively solid however, being comfortable on the ball being in the top 12% for passes attempted and progressive passes with his defensive prowess and physicality matching him well up against wingers. The requirement for this move is questionable though as Kehrer has filled in this role this season to varying degrees of success though if he can put in similar performances to the one we saw against Manchester United recently we could see much more success from him.

Kyle Walker-Peters - Value: £25 million

Though that £25 million price tag may seem steep, that will likely be slashed when Southampton's inevitable relegation is confirmed. Walker-Peters has been a premier league regular for several years now and despite a slightly worse season this year, which I think can be blamed on Southampton's poor form and mismanagement this season, I don't think the eye test can be denied. Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate has shown great versatility during his time on the south coast being deployed at both right and left back, showcasing his explosive pace and dribbling which has still been successful this season being in the top 12% for progressive carries and top 9% for successful take ons.

Alexis Saelemaekers - Value: £15 million

Traditionally a winger, recent links have pointed towards West Ham making a possible move for Milan man Saelemaekers. Saelemaekers output as a player points him closer towards being a wing-back this season with decent stats a winger and producing 2 goals and 2 assists as he's struggled to settle in at Milan what can't be denied is his work rate and defensive output being in the top 3% for interceptions and top 10% for both tackles and clearances. While this move could see a change of shape that may not be a bad thing to accommodate some other players in the squad as well as Saelemaekers.

Midfield

Midfield will be in a very precarious situation this summer transfer window as Declan Rice's possible exit looms over the squad. If he does leave a replacement will of course be required but a replacement for Soucek will also need to be brought in after an embarrassing season from the Czech has seen his pass completion percentage has dropped to 69% absolutely dismal for a central midfielder putting him in the bottom 5% for passes attempted, pass completion percentage, progressive passes, progressive carries and being in the bottom 1% for successful take ons.

I think a new system in holding midfield with an anchor at 6 to hold the backline together with high defensive output and good pass completion and a number 8 who will give more dynamism in midfield with pace, aggression and an ability to arrive late in the box for opportunities as Soucek used to do.

Ibrahim Sangare - Value: £35 million

If Declan Rice does leave this summer for a high a quality replacement will be required and Sangare fully provides that. The holding midfielder has been world class this season averaging a 7.22 rating on sofascore in the eredivisie this year for PSV and being one of the best midfielders in Europe in a multitude of attributes such as blocks, interceptions, successful take ons, progressive passes and his non-penalty xG for a holding midfielder. His heat map also just goes to further promote his case, getting about the pitch with ease and providing defensive output all over the pitch. Despite what may prove to be a somewhat expensive transfer I reckon it would be worth every single penny.

James Ward-Prowse - Value: £38 million

JWP's 8 goals and 3 assists this year have been very impressive especially considering the teammates around him. This can also be seen by his average rating on sofascore sitting at an impressive 7.23 in the Premier League this season. JWP would provide something so far unseen in the Iron's midfield, a true number 8 who can spray impressive passes across the pitch and from set pieces while finding the net on a consistent basis. And the thought of JWP's set pieces being whipped in for Aguerd, Zouma, Ogbonna, Antonio and Scamacca is the stuff of dreams, expect that value to be slashed when Southampton's fate is sealed as well this year.

Amadou Onana - Value: £42 million

This is a transfer which hugely depends on Everton's status as a Premier League club next year. If the toffees do succumb to relegation Onana's value will tumble. A target for West Ham last year it's been clear to see why West Ham would desire a player with his qualities. He's an extremely hard working box to box midfielder with good physical attributes and decent defensive attributes clearly still holding some level of potential to be extracted from his game.

Kouadio Kone - Value: £30 million

Kone is a top dribbler of the ball. Falling in the vain of many of successful midfielders in Germany like Goretzka, Bellingham and Naby Keita during his time at RB Leipzig Kone is a fantastic dribbler of the ball with great pace in the centre of the park Kone sits in the top 4% for successful take ons at just 21 years old which shows fantastic composure and confidence for a number 8 which we have really needed this season.

Flynn Downes

Not a new signing but Flynn Downes is an exciting blossoming player I think has earned the right for more minutes next year. In Conference League Downes has repeatedly looked like a composed and assured performer with a 93% passing accuracy in the competition and anchoring the side on many occasions looking so comfortable at winning his duels and finding a better man to give the ball to, which is something Soucek has failed at on so many occasions this year.

Attack

Antonio, Ings and Scamacca have combined for 10 league goals this year for West Ham which is absolutely horrific. Antonio's first touch has been abysmal at times, Ings doesn't look to fit the side at all and looks a very strange transfer and Scamacca is a player with huge potential who Moyes consistently misuses and doesn't seem to understand the strengths of his game one bit.

Breel Embolo - Value: £22 million

I have been preaching for years that Embolo is the perfect next striker for the club. With 12 goals and 2 assists in 28 league games with a further 2 goals and 2 assists in Europe, Embolo embodies all the qualities we have seen from Antonio over the years. He has electric pace, great physicality, a fantastic work rate and brilliant hold up play which would help facilitate the likes of Paqueta, Benrahma and Bowen. His advanced stats also showcase this being in the top 9% for non-penalty goals, top 17% for shot creating actions, top 20% for progressive passes, top 17% for successful take ons and top 20% for progressive passes received. If this man never makes his way to West Ham it would be a great shame he fully embodies everything a West Ham striker should be.

Mateo Retegui - Value: £16 million

Retegui may be somewhat of a risk from Boca Juniors however, his loan at Tigre has seen him enjoy great form in front of goal with 9 goals in just 12 games Mateo clearly has a clinical touch in front of goal and also some room to grow being somewhat of a raw talent. At 6'1 he would physically suit the Premier League and his form for Tigre even saw a shock call up to the Italian National Team which above all else I feel shows his potential if Roberto Mancini sees something in him. He also performed on the international stage scoring against both England and Malta.

Gianluca Scamacca

Scamacca is still a player who has plenty to offer the club and if he is let go I could see an extremely similar situation to what ended up happening with Sebastian Haller. Moyes clearly doesn't know how to coach or use a striker who doesn't have the makeup of a player like Antonio. This year when played all we've done is lump the ball up long to Scamacca which isn't his game. Moyes seems to believe if you are tall and physical then you're just there to win headers. Scamacca and Haller are actually very similar in play style. They are very technical despite their size and need players close to them in order to bounce the ball to surrounding supporting players to then spin in behind or make it easier to get up the pitch in build up play and then find runners out wide. I believe if Moyes gets the sack Scamacca can have a very successful spell at the club but if Moyes remains we could easily see him go on to have success elsewhere.

Manager

David Moyes

David Moyes appears to have run out of ideas this year. His fruitless attempts to move to a back five have been poor and his reluctance to drop the likes of Soucek and Bowen despite poor form shows a lack of inspiration or tactical nuance as the side have clearly been figured out by other Premier League sides. Despite the prospect of European glory there are better managers available to the club which I feel should be explored at the end of the season.

Ralph Hasenhuttl

This may be an option that many West Ham fans wouldn't like to see however, the Austrian does have some level of pedigree and I think Southampton's points totals after his departure show how impressive the job he was doing with that side was as well as playing a much more progressive style of play that would suit key players like Paqueta, Bowen and Aguerd and could see the progression of players like Kehrer, Benrahma and Fornals. His arrival may also see Danny Ings firing again as he did like his time under Ralph at Southampton and could draw players like Ward-Prowse and Walker-Peters to the London Stadium.

Michael Carrick

The former West Ham man and academy product has enjoyed great success during first year at Middlesborough firing them into the play-off spots after a dismal start to the year. Carrick clearly understands how to tactically set up his side to play fluent attacking football controlling possession on one side of the pitch drawing over defenders and sucking in midfielders to make mistakes and leaves gaps which would suit somebody like Bowen a hell of a lot and could possibly get a tune out of Scamacca after getting Akpom to play the best football of his career. However, his availability depends on the promotion of Middlesbrough.

Andre Villas-Boas

Another name West Ham fans may not be totally sound with, Villas-Boas has probably earnt another chance in management. The Portuguese managerial prodigy burst onto the scene at just 33 winning a treble with Porto. While his time in England with Chelsea wasn't fantastic he did well at Spurs and could've had great success there if not for an internal spat with the club which can you blame him? I wouldn't want to work for Daniel Levi either.