Graham Potter is employed as new West Ham United manager, after dismissal Julen Lopeteguiafter a bad start in 2024/25 Premier League season left the Hammers 14th after 20 games played.
One area where West Ham have struggled so far this season is in the middle of the park, lacking mobility to cover the pitch, often leaving large gaps between their two pressing lines, with the midfield either too deep to help the forward line, or too advanced, making them ineffective for long distance recovery.
This had a negative effect on their principles of play off the ball, leading to 2024 being their worst defensive year since 1967.
West Ham conceded 79 goals in 2024, the most in the Premier League during that calendar year. This alone could be enough for Potter to call for reinforcements in central areas, to change his principles out of possession and improve those numbers.
He could sign the West Ham midfielder
According to reports The Daily MailWest Ham are interested in out-of-favour Chelsea star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. According to the report, Potter is looking to bolster his midfield options in January and the Chelsea man could be the perfect way to do so.
Since the 26-year-old only joined the Blues this summer on a fee of around £30 millionChelsea look as if they are already ready to let Dewsbury-Hall leave the club, after falling short in the pecking order for more midfielders in Maresca’s plans.
The former Leicester ace has in the current part of the season, he made 15 appearances in all competitionsscoring two goals, one assist and playing a total of 857 minutes.
Comparison of Dewsbury-Hall and Paquet
Lucas Paqueta been the subject of criticism this season, made 21 appearancesscoring three goals and a total of 1440 minutes so far.
But the main sources of criticism come from his lack of assists (0) compared to the number of times the Brazilian has given the ball away per game.
Dewsbury-Hall, while having a great range of passing, will keep it simple to retain possession, and could therefore offer Potter another midfield option to keep things tidy and help his side’s functionality.
Focus transfer
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big name failures. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across the Football FanCast.
England’s former manager, Brendan Rodgers, labeled Dewsbury-Hall as “a special player” back in 2022, and those same skills are clearly still there when we look at the numbers.
|
Dewsbury-Hall v Paqueta |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) |
Dewsbury-Hall |
Paqueta |
|
Objectives |
0.27 |
0.19 |
|
Assists |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
xG |
0.19 |
0.24 |
|
xAG |
0.19 |
0.13 |
|
Progressive Carries |
2.71 |
0.72 |
|
Progressive passes |
8.31 |
5.29 |
|
Key passes |
2.37 |
1.50 |
|
Actions to create a shot |
5.76 |
3.46 |
|
Rotations + Intersections |
1.50 |
3.33 |
|
Statistics taken from FBref |
||
When comparing their metrics this season, it should be taken into account that the Chelsea ace played most of his minutes in the UEFA Conference League, unlike the Brazilian who played most of his minutes in the Premier League.
Having said that, Dewsbury-Hall outperforms the Irons star in many metrics, providing more progressive transfers per 90, more shot-making action and more expected assists (xAG), while still offering the work rate and mobility desired in midfield.
While Paqueta is seen as the bigger talent of the two, the simplicity that Dewsbury-Hall could add to their midfield, along with the necessary extra mobility and industrious mentality, allowing Potter to implement new ideas more quickly out of possession, will hopefully see the Hammers pick up some points. on the board.
