West Ham should go all out to sign Guido Rodriguez upgrade likened to N’Golo Kante
Relegation-threatened West Ham have struggled to get going in the Premier League and could use the January transfer window to make upgrades.
West Ham sacked Graham Potter at the end of September following a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at the London Stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo replaced the Englishman, and since then, the Hammers have drawn against Everton and tasted a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Nuno, who is known for his defensive expertise, has steadied the ship in East London and will want to spearhead their charge up the table.
West Ham host Brentford on Monday Night Football (October 20), in what is already looking like a relegation six-pointer.
West Ham should target Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup
Ahead of the January transfer window, Nuno will want an opportunity to stamp his mark on the West Ham squad, and he will be drawing up a shortlist of targets.
The Hammers are currently short on options in midfield, or at least someone with ball-winning expertise, and that is why they should go for Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup.
Exclusive interview with Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup.🗣️
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 28, 2025
– On Liguria love.🌄
– Influence of Patrick Vieira.🏃♂️
– West Ham links.👀
– Adding offensive output.🎯
– 2026 World Cup dream.🇩🇰https://t.co/ZgFZK8DciE
West Ham were linked with a move for the 24-year-old during the summer, although their interest never materialised and he’s remained in Italy.
🚨🇩🇰 Genoa and Denmark midfielder Morten Frendrup has signed with CAA Base as new agency to represent him.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 17, 2025
Several clubs have been monitoring Frendrup as potential target for 2026. pic.twitter.com/SVa6NWNdkl
However, with Frendrup signing up to CAA Base as a new agency to represent him, this could prompt the Premier League side to launch a transfer for him.
As highlighted by metrics on FBref, Frendrup is a midfield destroyer who excels at breaking up play and recycling possession.
The Genoa star ranks in the 9% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for tackles won per 90 and the top 8% for blocks.
With the Hammers lacking aggression and bite in the middle of the park, Frendrup would be the ideal enforcer to play in Nuno’s pivot.
Frendrup has been compared to N’Golo Kante
Frendrup is also a clear upgrade on Guido Rodriguez, who came close to leaving West Ham before the transfer window slammed shut.
| Stats per 90 past year | Morten Frendrup | Guido Rodriguez |
| Tackles | 3.13 | 2.61 |
| Pass completion | 84.1% | 83.8% |
| Interceptions | 1.19 | 0.65 |
| Recoveries | 5.13 | 3.91 |
| Aerials won | 0.99 | 0.65 |
| Blocks | 1.83 | 2.35 |
Meanwhile, due to his combative style and aggression, the Dane has also been compared to arguably one of the greatest defensive midfielders to grace the Premier League.
In his assessment of Frendrup, talent scout Jacek Kulig likened him to N’Golo Kante. “Morten Frendrup reminds me of N’Golo Kanté. Big comparison, I know, but they share some of the same traits,” Kulig wrote in 2021.
“They are both not the biggest and most intimidating midfielders, but they are both fast, great at reading the game, and they intercept almost everything.
“Both players are also good dribblers of the ball, and Kanté has evolved into a well-rounded midfielder with offensive abilities, which also could become the case with Morten Frendrup.”