The early goal-scoring of Andriy Yarmolenko this season pulled West Ham forward. Any calls for his selling in January are far too early and fairly ignorant of the facts.
Good enough for the starting XI of the Ukranian international team that toppled Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Europa League qualification, but not good enough for West Ham? Give your head a shake, Yarmolenko haters. The booming left-boot of our Ukranian winger just needs to be properly utilized.
Much like the repression of Sebastien Haller which has just been shaken off in the obvious switch to a 4-4-2 formation, Andriy Yarmolenko needs tactical tailoring to get the best out of him. Why? Because the entire footballing world knows he isn’t a midfielder, isn’t pacey, and shouldn’t be used in a position where he’s required to track back deep into his own territory constantly.
This essentially rules him out of being a starting factor in the 4-4-2 formation we all are embracing as the way forward for West Ham. But, this doesn’t mean he’s useless. Why not use Yarmolenko as a striker, where he often players for Ukraine, in order to bolster the center-forward corps and reserve January cash for midfield and defensive recruits?
Or, why not have multiple formations we use, depending on opposition and players available, making the team harder to play against if you’re pre-scouting as opposition? If this could be an avenue Manuel Pellegrini deploys, why not stick Yarmolenko as a right-winger (his natural position) in a 4-3-3 with a packed midfield to support him?
Yarmolenko hasn’t scored since September 28th against Bournemouth and hasn’t contributed to a goal since the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United on October 26th. There is no doubt he’s gone cold in recent matches (for the Hammers), but wanting to sell a player instead of getting the very visible best out of him is short-sighted and ignorant, not to mention poor business selling players off form.
Whether it be as a striker option off the bench in a 4-4-2, or as a right-winger in a 4-3-3 if the game dictates, Andriy Yarmolenko can be much more effective than he currently is if used properly. Pellegrini bought him and now his reputation lies in understanding how to get the best out of HIS players. Be imaginative and not predictable, if the peg doesn’t fit the hole don’t force it, adapt the hole!