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West Ham’s forgotten stars could fire club to safety

By Henry Tomlinson

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Andriy Yarmolenko of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Norwich City at London Stadium on August 31, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Andriy Yarmolenko of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Norwich City at London Stadium on August 31, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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One benefit the suspension of football due to the Coronavirus pandemic is the time it has given injured footballers time to recover.  Something that West Ham could see as a blessing in disguise.

West Ham has had yet another injury-ravaged season, Andriy Yarmolenko, Jack Wilshere, Ryan Fredericks and Lukasz Fabianski have all struggled with their own setbacks this season. All of these players could arguably be regular starters for the Hammers when on form.

The injuries to these high-profile players have meant that West Ham has lost not just their ability on the pitch, but also their ability to push other players for their spot in the starting eleven. This lack of competition in the first team has seen some players underperform this season.

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This is why the suspension to football could be key for West Ham’s survival. A Hammers squad which is at full fitness has quality players all the way through. One player that will certainly benefit the club is Jack Wilshere, who is fully fit for one of the first times since joining the Hammers.

Wilshere’s fitness could be vital to improving West Ham’s midfield for the remaining nine Premier League games. The Englishman has many qualities that will help the Hammers, the combination of defensive and attacking attributes make him the perfect cog for the midfield.

Yarmolenko has had a mixed time since joining West Ham in 2018. At times the Ukrainian has been one of the most important players in the squad when he is playing well.  Like Wilshere, Yarmolenko has struggled with injuries and always seems to have his momentum stopped by injury.

The 30-year-old seems to be on his way out of the club in the next transfer window, and he could use these remaining games to put himself in the shop window and earn a decent move elsewhere. Yarmolenko has magic in his left foot and it would be great to see him add to his three goals and one assist this season.

West Ham’s defence is another area that has struggled this season, mainly due to issues in the full-back positions. The right side of the defence has struggled because of Fredericks’ injuries, Pablo Zabaleta has been too slow to deputise in his place.

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The other option for the Hammers, Jeremy Ngakia showed promise in his four games, but with his current contract disruption, it wouldn’t be safe to give him the starting spot. Fredericks can use these nine games to prove to David Moys that he doesn’t need to sign a new right-back when the transfer window re-opens.

When the Premier League ‘Project Restart’ finally starts, West Ham could be in a great position to surge up the league and away from the relegation zone.