Green Street Hammers
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West Ham doesn’t need to invest in a right-back

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Jeremy Ngakia of West Ham United 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 James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Jeremy Ngakia of West Ham United 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 James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) /
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The depth of the current squad isn’t really in question when it comes to right-back, but what is in question is if West Ham should spend some of their limited funds on upgrading the position. Hard pass from me.

As it stood in January, both David Moyes and the West Ham board we’re all in on grabbing Nottingham Forest stand out defender and right-back Matty Cash. While the player is a slam dunk and looks ready for the Premier League, there are far more glaring issues the club should be addressing instead of bolstering right-back.

Right now, there are three players in contention to start for Moyes’ Hammers squad if and when the Premier League starts back up again. Jeremy Ngakia is the de facto starter after his unlikely rise to Premiership stardom in some great appearances against Liverpool. Ryan Fredericks was having a great season prior to injury and is second in line. Ben Johnson, the player who was believed to be the next-best-defender at the club has moved past injury and is the third choice.

Not a bad crew of players who mix both youth, experience, homegrown talent, English heritage, speed, and attacking prowess. All of these players have had extensive time under Pablo Zabaleta who is retiring at the end of the season as well, which is an invaluable experience.

Matty Cash, who has recently been awarded a Championship Team of the Season card by EA Sports, has been the best right-back in the Championship this season. His ability to move around the pitch positionally, and bring width in the attack while also being defensively responsible should have him on plenty of teams’ radar in the Premier League.

With finances up in the air, left-back and reshaping the attack should be the first priorities at the club, then adding centre-back depth. Right-back is settled and fine at the current outlook for the team. And, while Cash is a slam-dunk player, Ngakia deserves a chance to prove he is the main man at right-back.

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The option of selling or adding Fredericks in a swap deal is enticing, only due to his injury record and subsequent unreliability. Still, the Acadamy of Football has two strong candidates for the position and should look to their roots to promote internally, proving there is still a strong connection between West Ham’s senior team and their legendary academy.