Where does Mark Noble fit in new-look West Ham?

He was integral last season, massive in the Bilic/Moyes era, and has been a starting standard in the West Ham midfield for years prior. But, with a new manager, new players, and years gone by, where does Mark Noble fit into this team?

First thing is first, we need to dispell the myths about Mark Noble. His legs are not gone, and he does not just pass the ball backward. In a recent comparison on Twitter showing Premier League stats from the 2018/19 season, Mark Noble far exceeded Andre Gomes of Everton. As for his passing, I think his assist against Altach shows this to is a myth.

Off the pitch, the answer to this question is very easy. Noble is an unparalleled steward to West Ham and is the embodiment of everything that supporters demand from their players. He always runs hard, he always gives his all, and he always plays for the badge on the front. Noble can very easily ease into a management role with the team after his playing years are done, but he still has a lot left in the tank.

That being said, where will he slot in? For me, it’s the box-to-box midfield role that we see him play whenever he’s on the pitch. Last season, he played alongside Declan Rice in the “defensive” midfield but was pressuring the opposition’s backline as well as helping cover defensively, too. He can’t seem to stop himself from running his legs off all over the pitch.

Is this a starting role? I don’t think so, and that’s okay. Noble has gone on record stating that he hopes the team signs world class players even if that means he loses his starting position in the team, he wants the team to succeed first, above his own personal successes.

I think his role in the locker room is immeasurable for this team. This will remain unchanged whether he starts or not, but for now, he’s on the bench to start. Rice is becoming a leader on the pitch and is able to set his team up defensively, and the mix of Lanzini, Fornals, and Wilshere will be enough to keep Noble pushed to defensive midfield.

This isn’t a bad thing, though as Noble can step up at any time and play really any position the manager needs him to. Likely the first sub off the bench and the player to come on and get the troops in order to push for a win or lockdown a lead, Noble can become West Ham’s specialist off the bench and can ease into this team as needed. Playing and starting aside, there will always be a position for Mark Noble in this team, and we’ll see plenty of our leader this season.