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West Ham: Fornals, Anderson, and Co – The resurgence of the Hammers under Pellegrini

By ROUNAK PATRA

VILLAREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 11: Pablo Fornals of Villarreal CF reacts during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Villarreal and Valencia at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 11, 2019 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by Fotopress/Getty Images)
VILLAREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 11: Pablo Fornals of Villarreal CF reacts during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Villarreal and Valencia at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 11, 2019 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by Fotopress/Getty Images) /
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Although West Ham had an underwhelming and inconsistent campaign last season, Pellegrini is building an exciting new team.

Talents like Yarmolenko, Issa Diop, Felipe Anderson, Fabianski, and now Pablo Fornals have signed for the Hammers in successive seasons.

Sporting director Mario Husillos and Pellegrini are raking up an impressive and thrilling West Ham squad.

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After Payet’s departure and a season-long injury to Hammers creative hub Manuel Lanzini, West Ham players were often found clueless without a creative beckoning in the midfield.

Their strikers, Chicharito and Arnautovic are desperate for services from the midfield, even after adding Anderson. Fornals is a player of the highest caliber who could have replaced Ramsey at Arsenal, seamlessly.

Only two players have created more chances in last season’s Europa League than the former Yellow Submarine star (26).

According to the sources at lootball.london, Pellegrini has plans to play both Fornals and Lanzini behind the striker.

They will be operating similar to Manchester City’s number eight role. But, Pellegrini needs to focus on the defensive side of the game as his side ship 61 goals in the Premier League last season.

Pellegrini has a wealth of attacking and midfield options in his hand. Apart from their back four, they had ample players to play up top and at the midfield. If played 4-2-3-1, a creator-destroyer partnership can be achieved from Noble and Fornals.

Lanzini will act as the attacking midfielder through the middle, which can link West Ham’s midfield to attack in Pellegrini’s 4-2-3-1, and creating openings for the wingers or their incoming strikers in Mitrovic/ Rondon.

Also, Pellegrini can opt for different tactics in 3 man midfield with Rice, Lanzini and Fornals flanked by Anderson, Arnautovic and a new recruit at the top.

At the back, Pellegrini needs to shore his ideas up. They have some exciting players in Rice, Balbuena, and Diop. Those players are not consistent enough with their performances.

Next. Donny linked to United and Spurs. dark

Fabianski is a fantastic shot-stopper, and there is a little chance of players coming in to replace him. According to our opinion at The Top Flight, the possible first-team West Ham squad for the next season:

                                                    Gomez/Mitrovic/Rondon
Arnautovic/Antonio                                                                        Anderson/Yarmolenko

                                        Fornals/Cullen                  Lanzini/Wilshere
                         
                                                                  Noble/Rice
Masuaku/Cresswell                                                                                 Fredricks/Zabaleta
                                           Diop/Ogobonna        Balbuena/Maripan 
                                                              Fabianski/Roberto

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