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West Ham: Potential captaincy problems reveal leadership issues

By Jeremiah Carson

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Mark Noble of West Ham United pats Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United on the head during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on February 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Mark Noble of West Ham United pats Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United on the head during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on February 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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When Mark Noble took over as the West Ham captain, there wasn’t much surprise. But as Nobes gets close to his exit, questions arise as to who can take the helm.

It actually goes more in-depth than just who will take over, but who is actually capable to do so? West Ham hasn’t just gone to Mark Noble this season alone, they also captained Ogbonna, Cresswell, and Declan Rice all once each. But are those three the only options going forward?

Aaron Cresswell is probably the most well-established option but can he actually lead from the front week in and week out? Even though left-back isn’t your typical position for the skipper to reside in, he could do it for a time if needed but doubtful that he could pull off the role on a permanent basis.

Angelo Ogbonna has been a rejuvenation this season and has really taken the backline by storm but would he be ready to lead from the front as well? All answers swiftly point to I don’t know… and I think in the case of Oggy if he isn’t already… he might not even be.

And now this all leads us to Rice. The young, potential, hopeful future of this club. By all means, the job is his in the future if he can stay at West Ham and mature. He commands a presence already at the club but from time to time will slip up and show his age. Which is ok… it just might mean that he isn’t ready to take the ship.

So, that’s three other Hammers that have been captains this year and all three stack up to the potential leaders that the club needs… so what are they to do? The real issue honestly turns from the fact that they don’t have anyone to fill Noble’s role to that there is just no real leadership on the club once you get past Noble.

If the season ends on a high note and West Ham stays up, they can keep Tomas Soucek if so desired (and it should be desired). In just his short stint at the club has shown more heart and gumption than most of the rest of the squad and even though he’s still green to the ways of West Ham, it might be a good choice going forward.

Next. West Ham birthday wishes to Grady Diangana, see you soon!. dark

But even Soucek is just a bandage that is covering a gushing wound to the fact that West Ham has no real leadership. So going forward, there are only two choices. 1, transfer in some proven leaders that have PL experience or 2, start grooming leaders from a young age because this club, without a leader, is as good as gone.