One key area West Ham must reinforce in January – View

West Ham United haven’t given their fans much to cheer about this season despite splashing over £100 million to assemble one of the most exciting and talented rosters in the Premier League.

Julen Lopetegui, who succeeded club legend David Moyes over the summer, was eager for a clean slate and demanded a comprehensive squad overhaul.

Lopetegui wanted a squad built in his image to set the tone for an exciting new era, and the board duly obliged, handing technical director Tim Steidten a war chest to meet the manager’s demands.

However, eight games into the transitional period, West Ham are languishing in mid-table mediocrity, leaving a sizeable chunk of the fans calling for Lopetegui’s sack.

It seemed like the recent 4-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur would be the final straw, but the board appear to be doubling down on their managerial gamble and are willing to give him more time to reverse their fortunes.

Despite the summer splurge, there are still a few gaps in the Hammers squad that need to be plugged once the January transfer window opens, especially in the middle of the park.

However, unless Lopetegui finds a way to turn things around, he may not last enough to oversee another transfer window.

West Ham’s next five fixtures are against Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Everton, Newcastle United, and Arsenal – a daunting run of games that couldn’t have come at a worse time for the beleaguered Lopetegui.

Whether he remains in the dugout at the start of next year or not, West Ham must address the gaps in the squad to stay competitive and push for a higher finish in the Premier League.

West Ham need a tempo-setter

West Ham’s squad rebuild addressed every area of the squad, but they’ll need to loosen their purse strings again in January to land a midfielder who can control games and set the tempo.

Despite signing Guido Rodriguez and Carlos Soler last summer, neither of them ticks the box of a proper deep-lying midfielder who balances his defensive duties with dictating play.

The Hammers have struggled to control games, especially when playing against high-pressing opponents. They need a maestro who can keep the ball and help the team transition smoothly from defence to attack.

Declan Rice excelled at this task before his big-money move to Arsenal, but West Ham still haven’t adequately replaced the Englishman a couple of years down the line.

West Ham may also need to find a long-term replacement for Edson Alvarez, who has cashed in on every opportunity to sound out his availability.

The Mexican defensive midfielder was close to joining Chelsea before his move to the London Stadium.

Given West Ham’s current struggles, he’ll likely welcome a chance to jump ship if a top club comes knocking, and the Hammers must be proactive in handling the situation to avoid creating even more gaps in the squad.