Julen Lopetegui has nothing to lose with West Ham youth star
Julen Lopetegui finds himself under immense pressure at West Ham after a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
The Spaniard is struggling to get a tune out of his team on a regular basis and with injuries to key players and suspensions in the side, there is also a lack of an established starting line-up throughout the team.
With this in mind, the boss will be looking at the January transfer window as a chance to make the necessary additions to his side for the second half of the campaign.
However, this is going to be a difficult task with the East London outfit required to sell players before they can make any additions [Jason Brunt, 30 December].
Julen Lopetegui has to use the talent he has available
Despite plenty of summer additions, Lopetegui has struggled to get any of the new signings really going this term which makes the issue of the transfer window a difficult one.
However, if the 58-year-old wants to secure his job, he has to be able to think about new ways to change his side without relying on being able to bring another load of new players into the club.
With this in mind, the Spaniard should be looking towards the Hammers’ youth set-up, something he hasn’t shied away from yet.
Oliver Scarles has made the West Ham bench a number of times this term, making two substitute appearances of late in games that the Hammers drew.
In Premier League Two the 19-year-old has three goals and an assist from seven appearances and has also registered an assist in three EFL Trophy games showing the youngster has the ability to make an impact in games.
The Irons have been struggling in midfield this term with a lack of pace and energy often leaving the current selection of players beaten.
With this in mind, Lopetegui has nothing to lose by giving Scarles more minutes and starts in the top flight.
The youngster hasn’t been loaned away meaning he has to gain further development from playing in the first team and as it stands, the boss has no reason not to try it.
With money tight and midfield worries already, if the Spaniard wants to create change he has to start looking at what he has available and trying new things.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have been offered a star wanted by Aston Villa.
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