West Hamâs desperation to save their season has led them to consider a January move for Manchester Unitedâs much-maligned midfielder/attacking battering-ram, Marouane Fellaini, according to reports from the London Evening Standard.
Whatâs the story?
Relegation-threatened West Ham are looking anxiously over their shoulders at the Championship trapdoor and LES claim they are keen to do something about that in January. That something? Draft in Marouane Fellaini.
The burly Belgian is somewhat a Premier League veteran with eight-and-a-bit years of experience in Englandâs top tier, making him a rational target for the Hammers. Initially an Everton player, the now 29-year-old really shone on Merseyside, with his role as a nuisance-making, physical No.10 under David Moyes saving him from what looked to be flop status following his 2008 move from Standard Liege. The Scot then took him to Man United, where he has once again struggled, even though he has played relatively regularly under the aforementioned Moyes, Louis van Gaal and even Jose Mourinho.
The Evening Standard claim that heâs now a loan target for West Ham, with a winter window move to lure him to east London on the cards. Any deal would be a big vote of confidence for Slaven Bilic, considering his salary and the clubâs poor form this term after significant investment over the summer.
A logical move?
Fellaini may not be a glamorous player, but heâs certainly effective. The 73-cap Belgium international is traditionally seen as a central midfielder, but his best performances have come as an agricultural, withdrawn striker. His massive 6ft. 4â frame (made all the more imposing by his trademark hairstyle) make him a good route one target, allowing his teams to get the ball from back to front easily and build attacks from higher up the pitch.
It may not be a glamorous tactic, but itâs effective, as shown during his last season at Everton in which he netted eleven goals as the Toffees finished sixth. He has since made 100 appearances for Man United - not the sort of tally just handed out to any player â illustrating that he has his uses.
As things stand, West Ham are struggling for goals. The Irons have netted just 15 in league action this term, contributing heavily to their meagre points tally of twelve, which leaves them just one spot above the relegation zone â a position that may be worsened after a trip to Anfield on Sunday.
To get out of this mire, Bilic could use Fellaini and Andy Carroll in an âall hair and elbowsâ forward line in the New Year, that might just have enough about it to get the required goals and points to avoid relegation â an unthinkable notion before a ball was kicked at the London Stadium.
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