OPINION
West Ham underwent a complete overhaul both on the pitch and behind the scenes during the off season in summer, with new boss Manuel Pellegrini choosing to conduct some major changes to his playing squad.
A spending spree saw the likes of Felipe Anderson, Jack Wilshere and Issa Diop arrive at the London Stadium while the supporters waved goodbye to James Collins, Cheikhou Kouyate and Domingos Quina as they all left east London on a permanent basis.
There were also a couple of temporary exits, Pellgrini giving the green light for Josh Cullen, Sam Byram and Edimilson Fernandes, among others, to head out on loan.
Now Pellegrini cannot see the future and so the club’s injury crisis in the middle of the park could not have been predicted, but losing summer signings Carlos Sanchez, Jack Wilshere and Hammers mainstay Pedro Obiang to various setbacks has shown there is a distinct lack of depth in the centre of the park.
Declan Rice has stepped up from defence to establish himself as a more than adequate replacement, but it should have been 22-year-old Swiss international Fernandes, who many West Ham fans will have forgotten about, who was the club’s saviour in their time of need.
The three-cap star, who has 48 Irons appearances under his belt, was shipped out to Fiorentina in the summer on a season-long deal and has helped the Italian outfit to eighth in the top flight – so why is a man of his talent and experience not playing his part in east London?
Can anyone really argue that he is any worse than summer signing Carlos Sanchez, who looked like a fish out of water before his serious injury blow?
Letting him depart, even temporarily, was a poor call by Pellegrini and is a blunder which could have cost the Hammers had it not been for Rice, who has saved their bacon when it should have been Fernandes taking charge.
It remains to be seen whether, with Sanchez out, Fernandes is recalled to the London Stadium in January – but he should not have left in the first place.