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Is Edimilson Fernandes West Ham’s most complete midfielder?

By Scott Johnson

West Ham United's Swiss midfielder Edimilson (L) vies for the ball with Fernandes Sunderland's French-born Tunisian midfielder Wahbi Khazri during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and West Ham United at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, north-east England on April 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)
West Ham United's Swiss midfielder Edimilson (L) vies for the ball with Fernandes Sunderland's French-born Tunisian midfielder Wahbi Khazri during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and West Ham United at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, north-east England on April 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) /
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West Ham have been struggling for most of the season. But could Edimilson Fernandes prove to be the silver lining for the year?

West Ham are not in the position they’d like to be right now. With a handful of games left it is not great to be battling for your Premier League survival, especially one where you have moved stadium and had to sell the player who led you to a record points total the season before.

But as usual, the Hammers youth side has provided some optimism. With Reece Burke and Reece Oxford looking to come through, there is hope ahead. But one of the young stars who has made his name already should be held in high regard. Young Swiss midfielder Edimilson Fernandes.

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The Complete Package?

Most midfielders in the modern game fit into an attacking or a defensive role. They can be many types, but there are few players who can sit and shield the defense as well as they can get forward. At West Ham you have Obiang or Kouyate who sit well, or Lanzini who can get forward. Noble is the least specialized, but he struggles to have a massive influence on the game.

Edimilson Fernandes has the combination of strong physicality and technical abilities that could see him step up as a dynamic box to box midfielder. We’ve seen his goalscoring abilities, like his debut against Chelsea, and now his defensive qualities. In a fully fit squad, I think he could partner Obiang in the middle to give us a real dynamic centre.

He is a competent passer of the ball, and is only a few players in the Premier League’s list of percentage of completed passes. His stature and fitness provide the counterfoil, with continued attempts to win the ball back.

Next: Twitter vs Bilic

The problem is with Bilic. Despite showing promising signs last year, he seems unwilling to give youth a chance. There are plenty of top young players around the squad busting for their opportunity. Under Bilic, I can’t see Fernandes getting the gametime his talent obviously deserves and that is another reason I would favour a more forward thinking manager.