West Ham delivered a dismal performance against Liverpool at Anfield in the Carabao Cup, and David Moyes must bear significant responsibility for the defeat owing to the defeatist starting XI he fielded.
Following the recent match, it’s evident that the Hammers’ manager needs to offload several underperforming players and replace them with individuals who can genuinely compete for a spot in the starting lineup.
While the starting 11, along with possibly two substitutes, demonstrate considerable strength, the options available beyond these players simply do not meet the required standard.
This situation is undeniably attributed to Moyes himself. Approaching his fourth anniversary as manager at the London Stadium, the squad undoubtedly reflects his choices and no one else’s.
So, what must the Scottish manager do to elevate this group of players to a higher level altogether?
6 new recruits West Ham should target:
It’s certain that Pablo Fornals, Said Benrahma, Ben Johnson, Thilo Kehrer, Maxwel Cornet, Angelo Ogbonna, and Aaron Cresswell will likely be offloaded over the next two transfer windows.
Each of the abovementioned individuals has consistently delivered poor performances whenever they’ve taken the field this season, and the recent match only served to highlight this trend.
In my opinion, Moyes should prioritize the signing of a new left-back, right-back, left-sided center-back, defensive midfielder, left winger, and a center-forward before the start of the 2024/25 season.
While Vladimir Coufal has excelled this season, he needs genuine competition, a need mirrored at the left-back position with Emerson Palmieri.
Given Ogbonna’s decline, securing a new left-sided center-back to provide cover and competition for Nayef Aguerd becomes imperative.
Edson Alvarez has proven his worth, but Moyes lacks a suitable replacement for the Mexican when he’s unavailable due to injury or suspension. Hence, recruiting a new defensive midfielder would be highly beneficial.
Our right-wing options with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus are fairly solid, but the left-wing lacks similar depth and pace, making the addition of a new left-sided attacker crucial this winter.
Lastly, the need for a new striker is glaring. It’s evident that Moyes must acquire a proven center-forward for the London Stadium. Michail Antonio’s disappointing season, with just two goals to his name, and Danny Ings yet to score, underscore this urgent requirement.
At the very least, West Ham should pursue the 6 signings mentioned above. Whether Moyes and the club ownership align with this perspective remains to be determined.
