Will another defensive midfielder allow West Ham to play desired formation?

Despite media links, West Ham are keeping their transfer business relatively quiet this summer. While whispers are quieter, the formation Pellegrini wants to play could be revealed by his midfield targets.

Move aside attacking midfield players, West Ham are looking for a young, solid defensive midfield partner for Declan Rice this summer. It should be the number one priority for Manuel Pellegrini to not only assist Rice in the midfield but plan for a potential injury or departure.

Let’s not get dark here, though, because two stellar defensive midfielders would allow Pellegrini to play his desired dual-striker system. Yup, we’re talking formations already for next season for West Ham, and I’m back on the 4-2-2-2 train!

West Ham devolved away from this formation after some limited success with it in the first half of the season. The team eventually morphed into a 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 with solo striker Arnautovic leading the line and Rice isolated as the sole holding midfielder. Mark Noble did line up beside Rice, but he acted a more of a box-to-box midfielder rather than a committed defender.

The clues are slowly being dripped to us about a new formation. Firstly, Pellegrini has stopped the once inevitable sale of Masuaku this summer in light of his performances to end the season. Masuaku was solid defensively but showed off that flash attacking, too. Two holding midfielders allows for fullbacks to commit to the attack as both defensive mids would be held back to cover.

Likewise, West Ham have only really been linked to forwards. It makes sense with Perez, Carroll, and Hernandez all but gone, too. This leaves Marko Arnautovic as the lone forward, but why would we be linked to signing multiple first-choice strikers? Obviously to play a few of them together.

Rather than asking “which” in regards to Mitrovic and Rondon, we need to start accepting “both” as Pellegrini’s desired action. I think younger prospects like Maupay and Adams are also being appropriately targetted and one or both could be bought by the Hammers, but being seriously linked and favorites to buy multiple strikers with an established #1 already at the club suggests a forward-heavy formation.

ExWHUemployee has stated on the most recent West Ham Way radio show that the top targets from the club are being kept quiet (or quieter) than others, so let the speculation begin! I believe there are two names atop this list – Isaac Hayden and Philip Billing.

Hayden’s link has been rumored on Twitter, but nothing substantial has come of it just yet. It appears that the emergence of Longstaff has made him expendable, however, it would be a solid signing if Pellegrini can nab him from the Magpies. He’s young, English, and provides options and depths in holding midfield.

Billing, on the other hand, is probably desperately desired by his home club but relegated Huddersfield will likely be raided for their few solid players. Forget Mooy, Billing looks a fierce talent in the defensive midfield and at just 22-years-old, would be a signing for now and the future.

It’s always a guessing game during transfer season, especially when the signings haven’t even happened yet. Once the door does open for new recruits, look for defensive midfield and striker to be the biggest areas of interest as Pellegrini continues to build a squad that fits his style of play.