West Ham United formation change mooted amid London Stadium transfer development
West Ham manager David Moyes could play a back three next season if Harry Maguire is signed from Manchester United, according to talkSPORT reporter Ian Abrahams.
The Hammers are currently waiting for the defender to finalise his exit conditions from the Red Devils [Sky Sports, 10 August].
The publication noted that every other aspect of the £30million transfer of the player from Old Trafford to the London Stadium is in place.
“It wasn’t a position where I thought West Ham desperately needed someone,” Abrahams said live on talkSPORT. “The starting two last year when everyone was fit was probably Kurt Zouma alongside Nayef Aguerd.
“But what Maguire gives the option of now – and it has been mooted a few times that Moyes could do it – is to play Aguerd at left-back, or play three centre-backs.
“He might play three at the back, but you can argue if Emerson is really good enough as a left wing-back, and is Coufal good enough as a right wing-back.
“But if you do play three at the back, you play Aguerd, Zouma and Maguire. I think Maguire absolutely starts every week, and he certainly makes West Ham more solid at the back.”
Potential
It is likely that Hammers manager Moyes could switch to a back three next season if Maguire does arrive at the London Stadium.
First and foremost, Aguerd and Zouma performed admirably last time out as the Hammers lifted the Europa Conference League trophy and secured their Premier League safety.
Veteran centre-back Angelo Ogbonna filled in very well as injuries hit the club’s defence, and the Italian is in line for a similar role once again this season after agreeing to extend his spell in claret and blue.
Maguire is, however, clearly a very wanted man by Moyes, meaning the Manchester United man is very likely to walk straight into his starting XI.
He could, therefore, slot in beside Zouma and Aguerd in a back three, or the latter could be pushed out wide to accommodate Maguire.
It may simply be that Moyes wants more cover so that his club can compete domestically and in Europe.
In other West Ham news, Alan Brazil has dropped a transfer update regarding Hammers striker Antonio live on talkSPORT.