West Ham United are closing in on a deal for William Carvalho.
According to the London Evening Standard, West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic wants to partner William Carvalho with Cheikhou Kouyate this season, with Hammers skipper Mark Noble the player to be sacrificed.
The latter has come in for plenty of criticism in recent times, with his performances not always befitting a captain of the illustrious club, and if William arrives at the London Stadium one wonders if it could be the beginning of the end for Noble.
Still only 30 and with three years remaining on his current deal, Noble could remain at his boyhood club for some time yet. That said, he will not make do with a bit-part role and if William arrives and plays to his full potential, that could be the best the current West Ham skipper can hope for.
There were calls for Noble to be benched last season after a number of below-par performances, and while he turned it round in the final few weeks of the campaign, his critics remain.
Now it seems his own manager has highlighted his deficiencies, bidding for William in the hope of pairing him with Kouyate and ensuring the Hammers’ defence has sufficient protection after conceding seven goals in their opening two matches.
West Ham have made some impressive signings so far this summer, most notably Javier Hernandez, but they remain weak in the heart of their midfield – exactly the kind of position where a captain should be exerting his influence.
If West Ham do get a deal over the line for the Portuguese international and Bilic moves forward without Noble in his starting line-up, the midfielder could have big decision to make this time next year. Then again, it could be the motivation he needs to rediscover his best form.
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