OPINION
Central midfield has been a real bug-bear for West Ham United this season. In fact, it has developed into a bit of a headache for manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Because while youngster Declan Rice has emerged as the team’s crown jewel, there is precious little quality or depth alongside him in the central midfield pecking order.
Solutions, then? One way of sorting out this problem could be a summer move for underrated Wolverhampton Wanderers enforcer Romain Saiss.
The Moroccan international has understandably had to play second fiddle to Portuguese stars Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho this campaign, but his playing time has been reduced even further by the rise to prominence of Belgian Leander Dendoncker and the continued emergence of teenager Morgan Gibbs-White.
It’s possible, then, that Wolves would be receptive to offers for Saiss come the summer. The 28-year-old has shown himself to be a solid Premier League operator this term, and he doesn’t deserve to be sat on the bench in perpetuity.
West Ham would be a wonderful next destination for him. He would instantly command a first team place ahead of the inconsistent Pedro Obiang and the ageing Mark Noble. Plus, he is a much higher quality alternative to Carlos Sanchez.
He is a defensive midfielder by trade, but he is also technically proficient, making him an ideal fit to sit deep alongside Rice while someone more attack-minded, like Jack Wilshere or Manuel Lanzini played ahead of them.
Pellegrini needs somebody who can produce consistent performances in the middle of the park, something nobody but Rice has been able to do this season. Saiss, while not being a high profile name, would certainly be able to do that.
Wolves are an ambitious team, they are sure to invest heavily in their squad once again in the summer. That will likely leave Saiss on the outside looking in. A move to East London could be just the thing for him, as well as the Hammers.
All in all, this is a switch that would suit everyone, Pellegrini most of all. He needs some help in central midfield and Saiss can provide it. Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?