With Wilshere out who starts in midfield for West Ham?

Jack Wilshere has been ruled out of West Ham’s squad for their away match at Everton. After Wilshere picked up a knock in training there is a sizable gap in West Ham’s midfield, so who fills the void?

Jack Wilshere has been the one constant under Manuel Pellegrini, starting all four of West Ham’s Premier League matches and looking the best out of his midfield compatriots. Pellegrini began his press conference letting the media know Wilshere felt some pain in his ankle following Wednesday’s training and had a negative scan but is out for Everton.

With the expectation that Pellegrini will stick to his favored 4-2-3-1 formation the two positions in holding are both up for grabs for the Everton match, but who is most likely to make up the duo?

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Declan Rice – He should feature in the team for West Ham in this match, especially with Wilshere being injured. Rice has played in holding midfield twice now for West Ham, in their 4-0 loss to Liverpool and in their 3-1 win over AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup. Rice was poor against the Reds but was Man of the Match in the cup match, so it’s about time we get to see him line up again as a starter.

Pellegrini spent his money elsewhere other than the midfield this offseason in hopes that Rice would make the transition from center back seamlessly and step into the starting XI at DM. Unfortunately, Rice struggled against Liverpool and was dropped from the squad for the next match. It’s poor man management from Pellegrini and the blame will fall on the manager if West Ham keeps getting overrun in the defensive midfield.

Time for both Rice and Pellegrini to pull up their socks and trust each other. Everton have massive injuries in their attack and this match could accentuate the skill of Rice.

Carlos Sanchez – The Colombian midfielder has looked really solid for West Ham if you ignore the last two minutes of Premier League action he was in. Of course, Sanchez gave up the ball in stoppage time vs. Wolves which ended up in the net, sealing all three points for the visitors.

Despite his late-game blunder, Sanchez looked solid alongside Wilshere, allowing the more adventurous holding midfielder the ability to move forward while he stays locked at home. It would be interesting to see Rice and Sanchez working together as Rice can play that Wilshere-style role well.

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Pedro Obiang – The tackling magician Obiang really has an opportunity here to step into the starting XI for West Ham. Pellegrini declined his request to return to Italy in the summer suggesting that there is a spot for him in this team. Obiang has done little with his opportunity but the injury to Wilshere has provided him another chance.

When on his game the Spaniard can strip the ball off the opposition with ease, but its a risky style of play if he gets a yellow card early. If he can find his form from 2016/17 Obiang will be a staple in West Ham’s midfield until then he needs to show he’s still got it.

Mark Noble – This list isn’t constructed most likely to less likely, but the skipper has certainly dropped in the pecking order for West Ham midfielder. There are two issues with Noble being in the starting XI, first is the concern for injury. Noble missed West Ham’s match against Arsenal and was an unused sub vs. Wolves due to a back injury. With the international break now over Noble has had time to rest and rehab the injury, but is he fully fit?

Second is the ceiling to Noble’s play. When he’s on his game Noble can run West Ham’s midfield like no other. He’s loud, a leader, in the opposition’s face, and links up the West Ham attack and defense extremely well. The problem is that we know Noble is dropping in form with age so can West Ham rely on him as a starter anymore? It’s a sad question but one that needs to be asked.

Is there another option?

Yes, quite a few, actually. Pellegrini could change up his formation to better suit the players he has in his team. Possibly a 4-3-3 is in the cards with a holding midfield trio to settle the center of the pitch leaving one senior substitute on the bench should they be needed. The formation is tried and true, but without attacking midfield support for Arnautovic he could get caught too far back trying to receive the ball. Maybe a 4-3-3 false nine?

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The other option requires more time to go over but West Ham’s proud academy could factor into the first team selection. There are a few promising youngsters in the West Ham U23’s team so why not pluck one and see if they have what it takes?

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