A measured step towards giving West Ham centre-back depth

With limited funds this summer, David Moyes has a tough task on his hands to fully renovate his West Ham team. That being said, with wise investment he can support the team now and prepare it for the future.

Let’s get one thing clear, of all the areas that need improvement in West Ham’s team, the centre-back duo of Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop are not on that list. Both central defenders have been great this season with Ogbonna having a renaissance season back as a can’t-drop starter for both David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini.

Issa Diop has struggled at times, but his physicality and tackling abilities make him far more good than bad and he’s just 23-years-old. With interest from Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, Diop is a hot commodity but with a hefty reported price-tag, it’s difficult to see Diop going anywhere soon.

So, all eyes fall to three current players – Fabian Balbuena, Winston Reid, and Goncalo Cardoso. Balbuena is the next-man-up but he’s simply not a Premier League defender. His passing is sloppy and footballing IQ defensively isn’ where it needs to be. He’s safe to be sold as he’s not Moyes’ man.

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Reid is an interesting one because he is a long-serving player who is important to recent history with West Ham. His loan to Sporting KC in MLS would have been a great litmus test for his playing ability, but if West Ham can offload him they should. He’s likely passed it now and his physicality makes him unreliable.

Cardoso is the only player of the three listed that should be kept. Brought in to compete for a starting position (at just 18-years-old) Cardoso didn’t get a sniff at Prem football. That being said, he’s excelled with the U23s and looks a talent.

With the money raised from the proposed Balbuena sale, West Ham should pursue Nottingham Forest centre-back Joe Worrall. The 23-year-old defender fits Moyes’ new transfer requirements of being British and under 25.

Green Street Hammers contributor Henry Tomlinson had this to say about the young Nottingham Forest centre-back:

"“Joe Worrall has been a solid defender in the championship since he broke through into the Nottingham Forest side. The 23-year-old is a no nonsense centre back, who will put his body on the line to defend the goal.Worrall has been been a major part of Nottingham Forrests promotion push and as been integral to one of the best defences in the championship this season.”"

He is a key performer in a Nottingham Forest team that has impressed with their defensive structure this season, and it’s largely due to Worrall’s growth in the team. With Championship experience under his belt, Moyes could push both Ogbonna and Diop with this crucial signing.

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A move for Worrall would add more direct competition to the starting centre-back jobs, would keep Cardoso a step away from the club still (possibly send him on loan), and would substitute unusable bench players for a hungry, contending CB option. A win for now and a win for later, Joe Worrall would be perfect for Moyes’ new-look West Ham.

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