West Ham’s striking options bode well for Manuel Pellegrini’s attacking philosophy.
The Chilean will be pondering one or two players’ roles in his side after the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. However, he should be safe in the knowledge that in the long-term he has the players to make this work.
At Manchester City, Pellegrini was all about getting the ball down. He believes in playing football on the deck and stretching the opposition.
Granted, there’s a vast difference when it comes to buying the players to do this for City than it is for the Hammers.
However, one glance at his squad and Pellegrini will be satisfied in the knowledge that his philosophy can work in East London.
Javier Hernandez simply thrives off of good service. Stretching the opposition is what the little Mexican is all about. The more room he manages to find, the more goals he’ll score.
He proved this during his time at Manchester United, when he received service from the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. However, despite not having that level of player at West Ham, high quality creativity will see the best in him come out.
Marko Arnautovic got the nod at Anfield and struggled to make any real impact. Yet, the former Stoke City man is another who’ll benefit massively from an attacking, possession-based style.
Arnautovic has the ability to create something from nothing, but his movement and awareness is consistently crying out for service. Pellegrini has chosen him to lead the line, and he offers something different to Hernandez. However, should Pellegrini wish to play two up top, that’s a strike force that could work well.
One of Pellegrini’s new recruits in Lucas Perez also looks the part when it comes to converting chances. The former Arsenal man was clinical at previous club Deportivo La Coruna.
The Spaniard has scored goals wherever he has played, and will prove a useful find.
Whilst it remains to be seen what he can offer in a Hammers shirt, Perez looks like he can easily drop into Pellegrini’s style.
Finally, Pellegrini can even look to the youth squad and see clinical attacking options.
The debut of Xande Silva for the under-23s last night was a huge success after rattling home a hat-trick. It took just six minutes for him to bag all three.
Silva isn’t particularly a player for the present, with the 21-year-old still needing some physical development.
However, his youth team bow last night was as impressive as it could’ve been. If Silva continues to be as clinical as he was last night, he’ll be another one itching to make his mark.
As Pellegrini looks to create an attacking, eye-pleasing side, he can be safe in the knowledge quality strikers are there.
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