West Ham United have issues in their midfield that need solving if they want to kick on.
West Ham United fans have been crying out for a change in the centre of the park, with regular pair Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble not performing anywhere near their best so far this season. So it was nice to see Hammers manager Slaven Bilic change things up against Middlesbrough last weekend.
The recently criticised duo still started, but so did Pedro Obiang; the Spaniard finally getting to show what he can do from the start in the Premier League and not disappointing.
Indeed, the holding midfielder was widely regarded as the best player on the pitch as West Ham and Boro played out a 1-1 draw, and while that was not the result Bilic would have wanted, he will still take positives from the encounter.
The problem is, while Obiang is clearly the best solution to West Ham’s current problem, how long will that be the case?
After all, Bilic should have identified the need for more steel in the centre of the park during the summer and yet Havard Nordtveit aside, he opted to focus his rebuilding elsewhere.
Obiang may yet go on to become the superstar midfielder West Ham need; a player in the mould of N’Golo Kante who does the dirty work so those around him can take the plaudits. But he may only be a short-term solution, with Bilic knowing he needs to bring in top quality in key areas if he is to build on his promising debut campaign.
That should have been done this summer, but it is up to Obiang to prove he is a long-term solution and not just the best option for now.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
