Bilic’s dilemma: Two teams West Ham could comfortably field to compete in Premier League

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West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic will soon have a selection dilemma on his hands all of his own making.

Selection headache: West Ham manager Slaven Bilic

The Hammers were actually one of the busiest clubs of the window.

Bilic kicked things off by releasing the likes Alex Song, Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses from loan deals.

He also sanctioned the £10 million sale of defender James Tomkins to London rivals Crystal Palace.

Record signing but for how long: Andre Ayew

West Ham brought in 13 players in total signing Manuel Lanzini, Havard Nordtveit, Toni Martinez, Domingos Quina, Sofiane Feghouli, Ashley Fletcher, Gokhan Tore (loan), Arthur Masuaku, Jonathan Calleri (loan), Edmilson Ferdnandes, Alvaro Arbeloa and broke their transfer record with the £20.5 signing of Andre Ayew from Swansea City.

The club looks set to break that record further still when – as expected – loan striker Simeone Zaza plays the 15 games that will trigger West Ham’s obligation to buy him for £25m from Juventus.

Niall Quinn before the match

According to the likes of Sky Sports pundit Niall Quinn, aside from Manchester United the Hammers have been the standout club in the transfer window this summer.

But while most Hammers supporters feel it is the strongest squad in living memory, that brings its own problems for Bilic when they are all fit.

Injuries have made for a disappointing start to the season for the East Londoners.

They went crashing out of the Europa League after defeat to Romanian minnows Astra and struggled to compete with rejuvenated Chelsea and Manchester City with two defeats from their first three Premier League games.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic

But with all the additions and players slowly but surely returning from injury Bilic could select two different sides to comfortably compete in the Premier League.

While the club needs a big squad if West Ham are to progress, a lack of European football means less games for those outside the regular starting XI which could lead to some unrest.

And Bilic will be keen to avoid any murmurings of discontent in his squad given that last season’s success was built on a strong team spirit with everyone pulling in the same direction.

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