West Ham United are said to be in desperate need of additions this summer but here is a superb team they could field without spending a penny.
West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold before the match
The Hammers should have plenty of money to spend this summer.
After all the East Londoners never ended up signing that £35 million “marquee” striker last summer.
James Tomkins and Dimitri Payet were sold for a combined £35 million while the Hammers announced record income in their annual accounts recently off the back of the ever-increasing TV deal.
The extra ticket revenue from the move to the 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium, commercial and merchandising revenue streams has seen the club enter the prestigious European Deloitte Football Money League Top 20 for the first time, as proudly paraded on its official website back in January.
Dimitri Payet was sold for £25 million
Further players sales are expected with the likes of Enner Valencia and flops Sofiane Feghouli and Andre Ayew attracting attention for what could amount to nearly £40m in fees.
Then add in the fact that Alvaro Arbeloa, Gokhan Tore and Jonathan Calleri have all been released after the expiration of their respective contract deals and the Hammers are seriously flush.
But while it might not be what the fans want to hear, the Hammers could put out a superb side next season without spending a penny this summer off the back of the capture of Pablo Zabaleta on a free transfer.
Fans’ favourite Adrian
Adrian
The club have taken up the two-year option on Spanish goalkeeper Adrian’s contract and while many supporters feel a new stopper is needed, Bilic looks set to go with the fans’ favourite as his number one and Darren Randolph as back-up.
Pablo Zabaleta has arrived on a free transfer
Zabaleta
Pablo Zabaleta became Bilic’s first signing of the summer this week and will go straight into a team that has struggled to fill a problem position for several years. It will mean less game time for Sam Byram but the Hammers now have decent options on the right side of defence.
Reid
Winston Reid should be fit for the new season and is one of the club’s key players. Keep him fit and the Hammers are a totally different proposition.
Ogbonna
Angelo Ogbonna returned after a four month lay-off to play in the 2-1 win at Burnley on the last day of the season. The Italian international played a huge part in helping West Ham to record their first positive goal difference over a season since 1986 during the farewell campaign at the Boleyn Ground and, if he stays fit, he will renew his formidable partnership with Reid.
Aaron Cresswell has struggled this season
Cresswell
Aaron Cresswell has had a poor season by his high standards but will be boosted by his inclusion in the England squad. A four-month injury lay-off was new territory for the ever-present last season and the former Liverpool academy star seemed to be playing catch-up with his match fitness all term. A proper pre-season should see him back to his brilliant best.
Pedro Obiang is fast becoming West Ham fans’ favourite player
Obiang
This guy oozes class. So much so he is attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool. If West Ham can keep hold of the Spaniard, who was a cert for the Hammer of the Year until his unfortunate season-ending injury, then he will be one of the first names on the team sheet next season regardless.
Kouyate
Arguably the club’s most important player, Cheikhou Kouyate has been played out of position all season at centre back and right back. It was no coincidence that when the Senegal star reverted to his natural position West Ham became a different animal and starting picking up important results.
Fernandes
Edimilson Fernandes was voted West Ham’s signing of the season – not much of an accolade when you see what he was up against – but the young midfielder has been a breath of fresh air. Full of energy, skill and pace, he is going to be some player for Bilic and will form a very strong midfield three.
West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini celebrates
Lanzini
What more needs to be said about West Ham’s jewel in the crown? Their key playmaker will need some help next season as he can’t do it all on his own but if the Hammers can keep the vultures like Chelsea and Juventus away this man will be so key to their success.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring
Antonio
Michail Antonio, the Hammer of the Year, will be fully fit by next season after an operation and back to his lung-busting best. Goals, assists, work rate, skill, pace this guy has it all and with Zabaleta signed surely there will be no more filling in at right back!
Carroll/Sakho/Ayew
Should Ayew stay, surely between the three of West Ham’s injury-prone strikers Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew they can get through a season, can’t they? This is one position where the club simply cannot afford to take any chances and recruitment in this area will be key. There is some remarkable striking talent available on free transfers this summer like Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Keisuke Honda, Mario Balotelli, Fernando Torres, Mirko Vucinic, Salomon Kalou and possibly even Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But Bilic also has young hotshot Toni Martinez knocking on the first team door as well as young striker Ashley Fletcher in and around the squad.
While that free team might be music to the ears of Sullivan and Gold, West Ham fans will want to see investment and plenty of it.
But what it does show is that the nucleus of a very good team is already there, with lots of promising young players emerging and plenty of experience in reserves like Mark Noble, James Collins and Randolph if needed. Now it just needs fine tuning with some top quality in a couple of areas as Bilic has already alluded to.
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