OPINION
It was a season to forget for Harvard Nordtveit, who left West Ham on Tuesday after playing only 16 Premier League matches for the club.
The Hammers confirmed on their official website that the 26-year-old has departed the London Stadium after one season and moved back to Germany where he will be playing for Hoffenheim.
There is no doubt that Slaven Bilic needs more experience and quality in the middle of the park following their bottom half finish during the previous campaign.
Therefore, in order to produce better results on the pitch, he should look towards signing Everton midfielder Gareth Barry.
At 36-years-old, his age may put off the West Ham faithful but after a season where they failed to show any consistency and leadership in the middle of the park, Barry would bring that in abundance.
His ability to control a game would help the team because it would then allow the more attack-minded players to express themselves in the final third.
When the going got tough for Bilic’s team last term, they failed to reign it in and see the game out. Instead, they suffered big defeats against the likes of West Brom, Watford, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Barry would suit the club because he would be able to sit in front of the back four and ensure the team doesn’t get bombarded with attacks.
Signing the former England international on a one-year contract wouldn’t harm the club because they wouldn’t have to pay a big fee for the player.