West Ham United got the season off to an inauspicious start so could Manchester City outcast be the answer?
The Hammers were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester United in the opening game of the new Premier League campaign.
A brace from Romelu Lukaku and goals from Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba brought Slaven Bilic‘s side crashing down to earth after what seemed a successful summer of recruitment.
Some seemingly sound transfer business has raised expectations among the Hammers faithful.
But new signings Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez could do little to prevent the kind of scoreline Hammers fans have long been accustomed to on visits to Old Trafford over the years.
After the first goal went in, West Ham’s defending was nothing short of woeful and many supporters feel the club has neglected to improve what was one of the worst defences in the top flight last season.
Manchester United’s Chris Smalling has been linked but talk of a move to East London has gone quiet of late.
So should Bilic join the chase for a player in a similar situation to Smalling in the blue half of Manchester, Eliaquim Mangala?
The powerful centre back is not wanted by City boss Pep Guardiola and has been linked with a move to Serie A before the window closes, as reported by the likes of Sky Sports.
With Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna both injury prone and out of sorts it leaves West Ham with two defenders who both turn 34 this season as back-up in the shape of Jose Fonte and James Collins.
France international Mangala, 26, has two years left on his Etihad contract and spent last season on loan at Valencia after making 64 appearances for City following his £31.8m move from Porto in 2014.
He is looking to get his career back on track and cement a place in the French squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Mangala seems to have all the attributes to excel in English football but as yet has not had an extended run to prove his worth.
West Ham could offer him that chance and would undoubtedly benefit from his power, pace and presence while Bilic has stated on a number of occasions he is targeting players who know the Premier League.
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