Green Street Hammers
Fansided

Grading West Ham’s Depth in every position

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Sebastien Haller of West Ham United celebrates with teammates Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals and Issa Diop after scoring his sides second gaol during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on February 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Sebastien Haller of West Ham United celebrates with teammates Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals and Issa Diop after scoring his sides second gaol during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on February 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Left Mid/Wing: B+

It is criminal how underrated Felipe Anderson is, even with his struggles this season. He, like many others, fell off under Manuel Pellegrini but has looked better when he’s played under Moyes, even off the bench. He’s the best left-sided attacker the Hammers have and tops the list of skilled players at the club. Rumours are still circulating that he could be sold to raise funds this offseason, but don’t count on it.

Up next is the usual starter on the left side in the 4-4-2 formation, Pablo Fornals. He’s naturally a central attacker who can roam around, but his ability to cut in off the wing and get up and down the pitch have seen him transition nicely into a versatile wide player. He starts over Anderson based on form, but the competition is great to see.

Both Nathan Holland and Grady Diangana can factor in as depth options out wide. With finances under lockdown, we’ll likely see both next season as bench/sub players for the first team. Grady can play both sides and Holland can play centrally. Combined, it’s not a bad mix of skill and age for the Hammers.

With as much depth as the Hammers have in this position, it still seems unreasonable to move Felipe Anderson this summer. Other players can be sold that are spare parts as it stands, but Anderson is a terrific talent and losing him would push back the potential of a very attacking-minded team, even with Fornals starting. Plus, you’d take a bath on his value, and our board love squeezing money from their transfers!