Three changes Manuel Pellegrini needs to make in West Ham vs. Chelsea

With pressure mounting on the Chilean manager, West Ham’s Manuel Pellegrini needs to adjust his unwavering approach or risks another loss and his firing. Here are three things to look for.

Make a keeper change!

Its a good start with the news that Joseph Anang, U23 starting keeper, was kept out of their midweek match with Brighton and Hove Albion. The strength of the youth systems has to be in goal with Anang, Nathan Trott (out on loan at AFC Wimbledon, and Krisztián Hegyi all showing they could potentially have what it takes at the senior level in a few years time.

As well, David Martin trained intensively all week, taking regular reps with the first group of senior players. The keeper who played for Millwall last season was believed to be signed to hit the English player quota, however, he couldn’t be worse than Roberto!

Roberto is Pellegrini’s man. He worked with him at Malaga, he’s continuously backed him to the media and defended him in press conferences. If Pellegrini wants to go down under his own ideas failing rather than compromising on his beliefs, Roberto could be in goal for this match.

Change the formation

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The team has set up in a 4-1-4-1 for every game this season with one defensive midfielder and an isolated striker – it isn’t working. Declan Rice has been overrun in the midfield and Sebastien Haller has been far too isolated to get any service to cause problems for the opposition. He’s remained resolute in his commitment to this structure but the lack of success has it looking stale.

With Frankfurt last season, Haller looked a bigger goal threat playing alongside a striker. Perhaps a 4-4-2 with Albian Ajeti, Michail Antonio, or even Andriy Yarmolenko committed to stay high and press for a goal whenever they can. Don’t rule out the effectiveness of a three-at-the-back formation either. I doubt we see either, however it would be a welcomed and necessary change.

Get the kids involved

The youth that the Academy of Football currently has to offer is pretty remarkable. Nathan Holland is an impressive attacker that can play either side, Anthony Scully is scoring at will as a striker, Dan Kemp has shown strength out wide or centrally, Joe Powell is proving to be a future box-to-box midfielder, Conor Coventry is a shut down defensive midfielder, and Joseph Anang is looking like a promising keeper for the future.

There are more prospects too, but who is most likely to see senior team action? That would obviously be Anang in goal, as mentioned above. But, if Pellegrini is going to be a man of his word and play his best players, Nathan Holland has to be in consideration. The English midfielder has been shredding up the PL2 and needs either a loan move away or a call up to the first team.

Next. The view from the opposition as Chelsea take on West Ham United. dark

Whether it’s just a bench spot for these kids or some actual game time, there needs to be an injection of youth for the passion, speed, and pride involved. As uninspired as the manager’s tactics have been the first team players haven’t been without sin. Bring in some squad competition.