You might be thinking to yourself, why am I doing a piece on West Ham’s best starting eleven? Aren’t we are three-quarters of the way through the season?
My answer, we are West Ham and most of the season we have been playing the injury game but with most of the first team back, I thought it would be a fun time to debate our Starting XI.
From the back
Let’s start with the Goalie and back line. I doubt there is any debate on who our starting GK would be with Fabianski simply shining week in and week out. A side note, with the re-signing of Trott and Anang performing well with the under 23’s, the Goalkeeper position at West Ham looks solidified for years to come.
Continuing on with the center backs and Balbuena coming back, I think the starting two CB’s should be him and Diop. Don’t get me wrong, Ogbonna has most certainly came back to form the past few weeks but you cannot discredit with “the general” has done with his time here this season. Rounding out the back four lets select the two outside backs.
On the left side, if healthy, we have to start Aaron Cresswell but Masuaku has come around the past few times out and looked like a form of his better self. On the right side however the selection is not as easy. In one hand you have the veteran poise of Zaba and in the other you have the youth and pace of Ryan Fredericks. Going with a theme of recent form and looking at years to come I would think our starting RB needs to be Fredericks going forward with Zaba there to cleanup any messes if needed.
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In Midfield
Moving to the midfield, I decided that our best formation is a 4-2-3-1. Looking that 2 defending midfielder, I’m not even going to debate who they should be. Rice and Noble for the foreseeable future and barring any injuries are the first 2 names on the team sheet. With Noble however I do like to see him being more of a roamer and moving up in the attack as well. Moving up to the attacking midfielder, I have to go with Lanzini because ain’t nobody like Lanzini and man what a boost he has been since he’s been back.
The tale of the left mid and right mid are two different things. On the left side Anderson leaves little argument of who should start but on the right however we have 2 to 3 players that could fill that void. In a previous article, I wrote about the crowded right side and the way ahead. With that being said, and keeping with the theme of best starting XI I would have to start Antonio. His pace and strength as well as being able to help on the defense has been key to Fredericks growth as a RB.
Firepower
This brings us to the final piece of the formation, the forward. Controversy and fear has been a theme for the forward position this season as rumors and fears of Arni moving struck us a month ago and whether or not Chicha could play along has been a theme all season. With all of that in the open and looking at the best XI and the future of the club I would start Chicha at the moment. You cannot tell me that Arniis going to stay put next season so why even start him. Bring him in around the 70th minute but build a team around Chicharito and his skills. I know this will no doubt strike a debate with many West Ham fans as his performances have been like a rickety only roller-coaster this season but as of late he has taken it upon himself to better himself and be a part of the squad.
Maybe I am tainted from Arni’s rumors and his on and off the field performances but I have fallen out of love for him in the past few months. I think it shows his leadership skills when Noble gave him the armband but in my mind, I have no doubt that with this starting XI and Chicharito up front we can challenge for 7th place this season. Please let me know what you think as I welcome a challenging debate ahead. As always, COME ON YOU IRONS!