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Marquee Centre-back Signing Means One of Two Things for West Ham

By Adam Smith

Burnley's English defender James Tarkowski (L) reacts as he slides into the net while attempting but failing to block the shot from Burnley's English striker Ashley Barnes (unseen) when Barnes scored the opening goal as Leicester City's English striker Jamie Vardy (R) celebrates the goal during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Leicester City at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on January 19, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Burnley's English defender James Tarkowski (L) reacts as he slides into the net while attempting but failing to block the shot from Burnley's English striker Ashley Barnes (unseen) when Barnes scored the opening goal as Leicester City's English striker Jamie Vardy (R) celebrates the goal during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Leicester City at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on January 19, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /
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All of West Ham’s attention seems to have fallen on a marquee centre-back James Tarkowski of Burnley signalling one of two results if a strong centre-back does sign.

West Ham desperately need to bring in improvements to their defence, but does the signing of James Tarkowski or any starting centre-back make any sense? Realistically, a capable veteran right-back and a starting left-back are what is needed… unless something else is cooking under David Moyes.

Realistically, there are two results of West Ham signing Tarkowski or any starting centre-back. They are either switching to a wing-back formation or are shipping out Issa Diop.

Option 1: Wingbacks and Three Central Defenders

We know David Moyes has played with this formation at West Ham, and we know he’s done this to pack as many defenders behind the ball as possible. This formation was used almost exclusively when Moyes first accepted a West Ham relegation battle job, relying on Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini to provide all of the club’s offence.

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Now, with two players who are much better suited for wing-back play in Arthur Masuaku and Ryan Fredericks than fullback, Moyes can possibly shift his team into a more balanced squad by embracing this formation.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that the £30m+ being spent on Tarkowski or a similar player could be invested in better fullback’s, allowing for a flat four at the back to be used without completely changing how this team plays. Unfortunately, conventional wisdom is something that is running low at West Ham.

Option 2: Give Up on Issa Diop

Talk about a sophomore slump! After his, then club record-signing two seasons ago, Issa Diop regressed after a strong debut season, backtracking on his progression and providing more than a handful of mistakes and errors in West Ham’s own half. At 23-years-old, Diop is not a flop, but can West Ham continue to gamble on players trending upwards with a full season relegation battle ahead?

Signing Tarkowski and keeping Diop on the bench doesn’t make sense, especially with the club as strapped for cash as they lead all of us to believe. If Tarkowski is brought in it has to be at the expense of Diop and that in itself is a gamble, too.

23-years old, former captain of Toulouse, experienced at the youth setup for France, and on his day is a terrific defender. Was last season just a sophomore slump or is Diop trending down? If Tarkowski comes in and thrives it doesn’t matter, but it isn’t a gamble I’d like to make.

Next. West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen raring to go. dark

Overall, Fabian Balbuena should be sold for money to be added to the transfer budget and to free up wages and a bench spot for Aji Alese or Jamal Baptiste. The means, that if West Ham pursues another starting centre-back it’ll be to pair with Ogbonna, not him and Diop, as the Frenchman would surely be off. Heck of a plan with only days until the season kicks off.