West Ham identify ‘five’ problem positions in team, Nuno Espirito Santo has ‘big plans’ for overhaul
Nuno Espirito Santo is planning to make major changes to his West Ham squad with “big plans” in place for the upcoming transfer windows.
That is according to former West Ham and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the boss is unhappy with the makeup of his current squad in East London.
While there has been a slight upturn in performances and results of late, the Hammers remain 18th in the Premier League albeit with a game in hand, and concerns are high.
Among those linked with moves away from the London Stadium, Niclas Fullkrug looks set to leave West Ham, while Max Kilman and Lucas Paqueta are attracting interest.
This comes after Football Insider revealed in October that West Ham want a new striker, alongside new centre-backs and midfielders ahead of the January window.
West Ham preparing for major squad overhaul
Brown told Football Insider in October that West Ham are keen to support Nuno’s transfer plans, with his sights set on a number of key positions and even some former players.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted work has already begun to identify key areas for improvement at the London Stadium.
“Nuno wants to make changes in the transfer window,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s got big plans for the squad, because there are a few problem positions he is going to have to address and other areas he wants to strengthen.
“If you look through the squad, position by position, it become clear that there are some real issues and things they need to resolve in the transfer market.
“The goalkeepers haven’t been good enough, it’s a position that has been a concern for a while.
“The full-backs don’t seem to be able to nail down regular places, whether it’s Diouf, Wan-Bissaka, the young lad (Ollie Scarles), or Walker-Peters.
“At centre-back, that’s where they’ve got their biggest issues because the options they’ve got are not good enough if they want to push up the Premier League.
“In midfield, they lack somebody who is willing to get amongst it and make challenges, then up front they haven’t been able to find a regular goalscorer.
“So there are lots of areas the manager wants to address and big changes he wants to make if he is going to turn them back into a successful outfit.”
Nuno Espirito Santo’s transfer priority revealed
As the Hammers set their sights on a number of positions for improvement ahead of the January transfer window, their biggest priority is at centre-back.
Brown told Football Insider last month that West Ham are working on signing a defender to replace Max Kilman amid concerns about the centre-back’s displays.
West Ham fans have slammed Kilman for his displays so far this season, and he has now become a concern for the Hammers, who will look to upgrade in January.
Matt Le Tissier warned Football Insider on 29 October that West Ham are too weak at centre-back after what has been a dismal start to the season in East London.
Nuno’s side have conceded 27 goals in 13 games so far this season, the second-worst defensive record in the league aside from bottom club Wolves.
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