With no sign of their defensive issues improving, West Ham are in very real danger of being relegated from the Premier League but there could be a Silva lining for Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Hammers have improved under Nuno Espirito Santo and are more resilient, competitive and organised.
But West Ham’s defensive issues date all the way back to the start of 2024 under David Moyes and show no sign of abating.
Nuno has added more togetherness and steel but the Hammers shipped another three goals in the home defeat to Aston Villa – making it 11 games under Nuno without keeping a clean sheet.
The blame cannot be placed on Nuno’s shoulders, though.
He inherited this West Ham squad and has improved Jean-Clair Todibo’s game immeasurably while getting Alphonse Areola back to his brilliant best.
Nuno must fix defensive issues to keep West Ham up
If Moyes, Julen Lopetegui, Graham Potter and now Nuno have all failed to tighten up West Ham then it is clear the only answer is new players.
The club spent a combined £92m on Max Kilman, Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos but you wouldn’t know it most of the time.
What does Nuno need to do to FIX West Ham’s defence?
More points lost…
There is not an ounce of leadership among them when it has mattered most so far this season.
Jarrod Bowen is West Ham’s captain but leads by example rather than tearing strips off teammates in the dressing room.
Bowen has faced criticism over his captaincy but Nuno insists he is the right man for the job.
That being said, West Ham clearly need more character and leadership in the side, especially down the all-important spine of the team.
So West Ham must pounce as the world’s greatest leader suddenly leaves his club desperate for a London return.
Brazil great Thiago Silva is regarded as one of the greatest captains of all time for his clubs and country.
Adored by Brazilians and fans of the likes of Milan, PSG and Chelsea, Silva is revered by managers, teammates, fans and opponents for his classy and inspirational leadership style.
Not to mention his supreme quality at the ripe old age of 41.
Now the former Blues defender has said his goodbyes to his Fluminense team-mates after a second spell at his boyhood club.
The defender’s contract runs until the end of the season, but, after his side were knocked out of the Cope do Brasil, it has been reported he is now set to depart.
Silva wants London return and West Ham must pounce
Silva had spoken about his wish to retire with his boyhood club, but has since made his ambitions of playing in the World Cup at the end of the season clear.
The Daily Mail claims Silva has found it difficult being away from his family, who still live in London due to his sons being in Chelsea’s youth academy.
Silva played for the Blues between 2020 and 2024, playing over 100 times for the club, and was forced to leave his family behind when he left Chelsea for Brazil at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Silva has reportedly made it clear he wants to return to London to play out the rest of the season before ending his career at the World Cup next summer.
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That has reportedly put Premier League clubs on red alert – and West Ham must surely be one of them.
Silva has all the leadership qualities Nuno so sorely lacks in his side.
He would be the perfect man and player to bring into this West Ham side to help save the club’s Premier League lives.
The Hammers will need to act fast, though, because Chelsea legend John Terry has appealed to Silva to return to Stamford Bridge, feeling his experience would be perfect for Enzo Maresca’s young side.
Silva may be 41, but he remains in great physical condition, as demonstrated by the fact he has played 46 games for Fluminense this year, scoring four goals.
That’s more games and goals than any of West Ham’s centre-backs this calendar year.
West Ham have absolutely nothing to lose by bringing Silva in for six months.
He cannot be any worse than Mavropanos or Kilman and his leadership alone would make him worth his weight in gold never mind Silva.
The legendary defender could be the Silva bullet for West Ham’s survival hopes, though.
Silva may be able to help Nuno get through to Lucas Paqueta after his recent issues with discipline both on and off the ball.
Hammers News put it to the club’s owners on Tuesday that Silva is available and might be a wise move given the seriousness of West Ham’s situation.
The response should be very interesting indeed.
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