Nuno Espirito Santo has a couple of difficult decisions to make as West Ham United prepare to welcome Manchester City to the London Stadium. Chief among them; what does he do with Mohamadou Kante and Pablo Felipe?
On only his second start for the club, Kante excelled as the Hammers conquered Brentford to set up an FA Cup quarter-final with Leeds. On what was his first appearance in the XI for a month due to a calf injury, Pablo Felipe led the line superbly on Monday night too.
His maiden outing in his favourite number nine role, and Pablo’s most effective performance yet in a West Ham United jersey.
How would YOU set the Hammers up against Man City? ⚒️ v 🩵
Three at the back? Another start for Kante and Pablo?
We at Hammers News asked our TalkingPoint readers how Nuno Espirito Santo should set his side up against a Man City side who have not lost a Premier League match against Saturday’s opponents since Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho hit the target in 2015.
West Ham United fans want Mohamadou Kante vs Manchester City
A first ever Premier League start for Kante, and a first since January for Pablo, are two ideas gaining plenty of support.
“I’d like to see Kante and Pablo involved,” one supporter writes on our Facebook page, urging Nuno to deploy a back four and flood the midfield.
“We need three in midfield, otherwise they’ll swarm us! So 4-3-3 for me with Kante, Pablo up front and maybe Taty [Castellanos] on the left in Crysencio Summerville’s absence?”
“I would give Kante a go. Stick to same formation, 4-4-1-1, and play on the counter.”
“Swap [Jean-Clair] Todibo for either [Soungoutou] Magassa or Kante in midfield. We don’t need three at the back, we need extra bodies in the middle.
“Kante deserves another game.”
A defeated Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City were taken aback by Real Madrid’s three-at-the-back, false nine system during their 3-0 midweek thrashing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“With respect we aren’t Real Madrid,” another points out. “Kante gives us legs and Pablo and Castellanos are better as a pair.”
Ally gets it 😎 Where should Pablo Felipe play for West Ham – as a No.9 or a No.10?
Pablo Felipe could have a big role to play at the London Stadium
Throw in Kante, arguably West Ham’s most imposing, athletic midfielder alongside Mateus Fernandes, and utilise the work rate of Pablo Felipe, and Man City’s sluggish central pivot of Bernardo Silva and Rodri may be overwhelmed.
What he lacks in goals, Pablo brings so much in terms of energy, team spirit, and defensive output. The pressing he provides could also be key to disrupting City’s rhythm.
“Pablo? He has to play.”
“Pablo and Taty up front, keeps City on their heels.”
“Pablo needs to start. We have no one that closes down and runs like him…”
“Pablo from the start. His work rate will damage City.”
“Proper workhorse of a player. He should definitely play behind the striker though!”
“[Pablo] should be in the number ten role, easily. Looks better at creating for others as opposed to finishing.”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
