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West Ham United failed to kick on last weekend against Crystal Palace, with the Hammers faltering to a 2-1 defeat at the London Stadium, but the arrival of October’s international fixtures is a well-timed break for Manuel Pellegrini’s side having risen to eighth in the Premier League table.
An impressive start to the 2019/20 campaign saw the Hammers bounce back from the opening day drubbing at the hands of Manchester City to go six games unbeaten, but the east London side were unable to overcome Roy Hodgson’s Palace side who prevailed thanks to goals from Patrick van Aanholt and Jordan Ayew.
With the arrival of the second international break of 2019/20, we take a look at five themes Pellegrini could be mulling over ahead of a return to top-flight football in just under two weeks time…
[snack_break title=”Defensive inconsistency”]
Despite a 5-0 mauling on the opening day of the season, West Ham have found a sense of solidity in their defence that has seen Pellegrini’s side keep three consecutive clean-sheets.
A central defensive pairing in Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna provided a foundation for the Hammers to play out from the back and provide service to their attacking armoury, yet in the last two games the east London outfit have conceded twice and picked up just a single point.
Given the promising start West Ham have made to the season, Pellegrini will be keen to ensure that any potential defensive issues are ironed so they do not become a thorn in any potential push for a club-record finish in the Premier League.
[snack_break title=”Harnessing Yarmolenko’s goalscoring form”]
Andriy Yarmolenko has been instrumental so far this season for the Hammers, helping them rise to eighth in the league table with just two defeats so far in the current campaign.
Having suffered an Achilles injury in the 2018/19 campaign, the Ukrainian international was unable to impress in his debut season with the club, scoring twice in nine league appearances.
Yet after seven Premier League appearances so far in 2019/20, the 29-year-old has scored three goals to sit only behind club-record signing Sebastien Haller in the club’s top scorers in the league.
Given the natural gravitation of defenders towards the target-man, Haller, Yarmolenko possesses the ability to find space in the final third and utilise his clinical finishing; as shown in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the London Stadium.
If Pellegrini can harness this promising form, then Yarmolenko could be one of the club’s most important players in their bid to qualify for Europe.
[snack_break title= “Haller: central to West Ham’s success?”]
After arriving at the London Stadium in a club-record deal from Eintracht Frankfurt, Haller’s goalscoring record was viewed as the potential missing piece of the puzzle.
Four league goals in seven league starts have followed, and Haller is presently driving forward West Ham’s aspirations of European qualification in 2019/20.
Pellegrini will be desperate to ensure the Frenchman remains fully fit for the remainder of the season, though a key factor the Chilean will be looking to address is which combination of forward players can best assist Haller in utilising his prowess in front of goal.
With the likes of Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini and Andriy Yarmolenko all at Pellegrini’s disposal, the international break could present the perfect opportunity for the West Ham boss to consider all combinations available ahead of their return to Premier League football in two weeks time.
[snack_break title=”Potential cover for Fabiański”]
West Ham shot-stopper Łukasz Fabiański has been ruled out for potentially more than three months with an injury sustained in the club’s draw to Bournemouth, and Pellegrini may have to consider all available options in the upcoming transfer window if the Poland international is out for longer than first thought.
After going off after 33 minutes at the Vitality Stadium, Roberto Jimenez Gago replaced Fabianski and also started in the club’s defeat to Crystal Palace this weekend.
Given the drop in defensive solidity – having had three clean-sheets prior to Fabianski’s injury and none in the two games he has not fully played – Pellegrini could consider a move for a more experienced keeper than Roberto in the upcoming window.
The international break presents West Ham and their manager with the chance to reflect on whether an acquisition in January could be necessary.
[snack_break title=”The next stage of Rice’s development”]
After rising to first-team prominence under Pellegrini at West Ham, Declan Rice earned a call-up to the Three Lions senior squad and made his full England debut against Montenegro in March.
The defensive midfielder, who declared for England despite having made friendly appearances for Ireland’s senior side, has become a mainstay in the Hammers starting XI, and Pellegrini will be looking to see if the 21-year-old can make the step up with England and cement himself in Southgate’s plans ahead of the European Championships in 2020.
The Chilean is likely to be keeping an eagle eye on Rice’s performances, if selected, over the October international break, and if he is able to nail down a starting berth it is likely to only be positive news for West Ham.
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