West Ham could sign “unusual” England star for free

West Ham have struggled to search out consistency beneath Julen Lopetegui this season, after spending round £120m in the summertime window, bringing ten new gamers into the squad, and likewise attempting to implement a completely new system.

One key space for concern has been midfield, with this challenge stretching again to the 2023 summer season when Declan Rice left the membership. Since then, West Ham have been unable to search out the precise stability wanted in the course of the park.

An absence of mobility has been pinpointed as a trigger for concern, particularly given how Lopetegui likes to arrange, which might make a January transfer for a sure particular person much more interesting.

West Ham should revisit curiosity in England worldwide

Forward of Julen Lopetegui becoming a member of the Irons final summer season, stories emerged suggesting that one of many first gamers he might signal was Lille midfielder Angel Gomes.

Now, with simply six months left on his take care of les Dogues, they need to revisit a transfer for the England worldwide. Gomes is now free to agree a pre-contract with a international membership, which might additionally tempt Lille right into a January sale to extract a price for the participant.

He has made 15 appearances to this point this season in all competitions, scoring one objective, offering one help and totalling 885 minutes. The 24-year-old has additionally earned his first England senior caps this season, now enjoying 4 instances for his nation.

Lee Carsley launched Gomes into the England set-up, having labored intently with him at youth degree for England. Coming into the worldwide scene, Sky Sports activities reporter Rob Dorsett described the midfielder as a “little bit completely different” and just a little bit “uncommon” because of the function he performs and the way it has remodeled over his brief profession to this point.

How Edson Alvarez compares to Angel Gomes

Edson Alvarez was signed for West Ham in the summertime 2023 switch window, with the view of changing Rice, becoming a member of from Ajax for a price of round £35.4m.

The Mexican has made 59 appearances since becoming a member of the Hammers, scoring two targets, offering two assists and totalling 4,178 minutes.

However as beforehand talked about, a scarcity of mobility is a matter in West Ham’s midfield, often consisting of Alvarez alongside the likes of Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez. Gomes, regardless of being simply 5 foot 6 in stature, provides dynamism in midfield the opposite choices don’t, with the capability to cowl floor and reduce issues out utilizing his excessive recreation intelligence.

You may see when evaluating the 2 of their underlying numbers this season that Alvarez nonetheless brings good defensive numbers to the facet, averaging 2.14 tackles, 1.22 blocks and 1.15 interceptions per 90, alongside 5.20 ball recoveries per 90.

But when they want to proceed with this new system carried out by Lopetegui, trying to be extra aggressive and play increased up, mobility and floor protecting are key qualities lacking.

Gomes, regardless of providing few defensive actions, nonetheless makes 2.03 ball recoveries per 90, and is a key determine in deep build-up, linking the defensive and attacking traces, progressing play with a combination of carrying and passing capability, and importantly controlling the tempo for his facet.

Whether or not the Hammers resolve to try to agree a pre-contract deal to accumulate Gomes on a free, or in the event that they check the waters in January with a low-ball provide to Lille, his profile will surely be extraordinarily priceless to Lopetegui in midfield and will assist him flip the tides for West Ham.