West Ham sign Ryan Fredericks as Pellegrini looks to add pace
Ryan Fredericks has joined West Ham on a free transfer from Fulham. The right back helped his side to promotion last season.
This is a transfer that many thought wouldn’t happen if Fulham got promoted. Despite their playoff success, West Ham have got their man. Despite the fact that interest in Fredericks started before Pellegrini was signed the former City manager is said to be happy with the signing, as it brings in a different option to Zabaleta on the right.
More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham
- Brighton vs West Ham predictions: Can James Ward-Prowse help end the curse?
- West Ham and two Premier League rivals made huge transfer stand
- Lucas Paqueta bet allegations discussed in West Ham and Man City transfer talks
- Bournemouth vs West Ham predictions: Premier League opener amid transfer chaos
- West Ham near Denis Zakaria transfer after final James Ward-Prowse bid
Fredericks didn’t grab any goals last season, but his performances got him into the Championship team of the year and was consistently lauded by both fans and pundits for his ability to get up and down the right hand side. Pellegrini has certainly started his pursuit of pacier players in the right way. If you’re into your Fifa stats, Fredericks was the third fastest player in the Championship last season with a pace rating of 92. He was also a top sprinter at school level.
Looking forward
Now that he’s signed it’s only fair we look at how he’ll fit into the side moving forward. Well Pellegrini has consistently used pacey full backs in his sides, and with Masuaku on the left this could be a simple option. However our defence last season was creaky at best, and Zabaleta obviously offers a steady hand. Plus with Pellegrini having worked with him before it’s likely he will look to the Argentine to get his messages across.
Whichever right back makes the first XI, Fredericks will learn a lot from Zabaleta. This was a man who used to maraud down the right flank himself, whilst also being a strong competitor. If the Englishman can learn from him, we’re going to have a decent player developing over the season.
Next: 5 Players set to leave West Ham
Despite being a former Spurs player, I think he can do very well for the club. He obviously enjoys London and should fit right in with the other players and the culture of the side. If he can follow instruction from the manager I can’t see this move going wrong. The only people who might disagree are the Fulham fans salty at his leaving…