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West Ham v Southampton: Combined XI

By Scott Johnson

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Dimitri Payet of West Ham United scores during the match between West Ham United and Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup Third Round at London Stadium on September 21, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Dimitri Payet of West Ham United scores during the match between West Ham United and Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup Third Round at London Stadium on September 21, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images) /
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Attacking Midfield

STRATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Dimitri Payet of West Ham United scores during the match between West Ham United and Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup Third Round at London Stadium on September 21, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Dimitri Payet of West Ham United scores during the match between West Ham United and Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup Third Round at London Stadium on September 21, 2016 in Stratford, England. (Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images) /

Right – Antonio

There’s not a more in form winger in the league right now, apart from maybe Sterling.

He’s a top goalscorer and has a wonderful work ethic, giving everything for the team. He will run all the hard yards and more for his team and his physicality is something else. If he’s running at the ball for a header then he can be just as hard to mark as Carroll because of the heigh he gets on the jump and the speed at which he can get there.

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Imagine when they’re both playing in the same team again? Headers everywhere you look!

Centre – Tadic

I love Tadic. He is one of the players I wish I could have from other teams at all points. I think he isa class playmaker and a truly cultured player. So he gets the nod just above Lanzini in this spot.

Lanzini may be slightly quicker on the ball than Tadic is, but Tadic’s range of passing and the ability to bring people into the game would be second only to Payet’s. Having two of these players in the squad would be a nightmare for other teams.

His freekick ability would also be a nice foil to Payet. With one person lining up to take it left footed and one right footed which was can you defend? A really good Premier League player and deserving of being in this XI.

Left – Dimitri Payet

Simple. How could you leave him out. There aren’t many better players in the Premier League, let alone in these two squads.

His freekicks are arguably the best in Europe. His passing skills are up there with Ozil’s. His invention is second to none in the Premier League (just look at that rabona assist if you don’t believe me) and you only have to look at clips from Arsenal last year when he knocked it past Koscielny and muscled past him to see he’s no slouch either.

With most combined XI’s containing West Ham players this is where you can start. Leaving him out of any squad in this league would be a mistake in my eyes.