West Ham have endured a tough season this term and have suffered their fair share of injuries. This is how David Moyes’ side may line up next year, assuming the Scot is still in the Hammers hot seat.
West ham’s starting XI has chopped and changed form start to present this season, arguably as much as any other team in England’s top flight.
The hot and cold form and injury problems suffered by a significant portion of their squad has meant there has been little continuity in terms of team selection, which has probably led to the struggle for consistency at West Ham this season.
The club currently sit in 17th place, in grave danger of facing the drop, but can take some confidence in the fact that have a game in hand over 16th place Crystal Palace. However, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all left to play before the end of the current campaign, the club will be desperate to pick up maximum points from their other remaining fixtures.
The following is a starting XI that has been put together assuming that the Hammers will still be a Premier League team next season, and contains players who are either currently out on loan with different sides or who have been heavily linked with a move to East London for some time.
Goalkeeper has been a bit of a crisis for the Hammers this term, with both Adrian and Man City loanee Joe Hart both going through patches of questionable form. Hart has undoubtedly not done enough to warrant a permanent transfer and with Adrian indicating that he wishes to retire with West Ham, the Spaniard should start between the sticks.
With Jose Fonte having left earlier this year, and James Collins looking unlikely to win a new contract, the centre-back pairing should remain as Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna, although recent Ireland debutante Declan Rice would be in with a shout of a starting spot and will definitely play more minutes next season.
Aaron Cresswell, a terrific servant to the club since arriving in 2014, should resume his usual left-back position, whilst Pablo Zabaleta, in what could be his final season in the Premier League, should lineup on the right.
Club legend Mark Noble will start in midfield as he has done for the last 14 years, and West Ham fans will be praying that his midfield partner is Sporting Lisbon star William Carvalho. The 25-year-old Portuguese international has been a long term target for the Hammers, and this summer could be the window when the club finally land their man.
Manuel Lanzini, one of the club’s standout players, should start in attacking midfield, alongside Marko Arnautovic, another star performer, and Robert Snodgrass. Snodgrass has spent the season on loan with Aston Villa and has been terrific for the Villans, who will no doubt wish to retain him. However, given Snodgrass’ scintillating form, it is believed that Moyes wants his compatriot for his own starting XI next season.
Javier Hernandez, Mexico’s all time record goal scorer, should resume his position from this season leading the line.
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