Mateus Fernandes looks likely to leave West Ham
Hammers relegated from the Premier League
Four Championship options for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side
West Ham United’s relegation from the Premier League means there will be a mass exodus of their current squad. That will likely include their Portuguese midfielder, Mateus Fernandes, who is the subject of considerable transfer interest.
For the Hammers, finding a replacement for the former Southampton man could prove difficult, and their fall to England’s second tier will almost certainly mean they have less pull than they did previously.
So, a large portion of their Summer shopping may have to be done within the Championship, and that includes an alternative for Fernandes.
Here is a list of four midfielders the Irons could pursue to bolster their midfield.
Imran Louza
First, Imran Louza. In what was a bitterly disappointing season for Watford, the Moroccan was a bright spark.
The 27-year-old ranked highly for successful passes in the division, landing himself in the 97th percentile, but he is not just a metronomic, passive passer. Louza is often trying to force the issue and make something happen for his team, creating 74 chances this season, with only five players in the division creating more.
In this regard, he is quite similar to the potentially outgoing Fernandes, and while six years older than the Portugese, he has already proven his ability at this level and would be able to hit the ground running immediately.
Louza would be a smart pick-up for Nuno Espírito Santo.
Aidan Morris
American Aidan Morris was a key part of the Middlesbrough team that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
A slightly different profile to Louza and Fernandes, Morris, 24, tends to sit slightly deeper.
He is a ball winner and a quality reader of the game, often stopping opponents’ transitions before they ever really get going, and he seems to be able to do it all game with his high energy.
He excels at keeping the ball moving and making sure his team do not stagnate in possession.
While holding the ball is not something associated with Espírito Santo teams, they will naturally see more of the ball next season, and Morris could very well help with that transition.
Gonçalo Franco
Portuguese, just like West Ham star Fernandes, Gonçalo Franco is a slightly more traditional option in the centre of the park.
The Swansea City star tends to operate as a box-to-box midfielder, but is equally effective in his own half as he is in the other.
He is something of a jack-of-all-trades-style midfielder, extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet and, at times, a creative force for his side, while also able to break up play when opposing teams attack.
His main quality is his consistency. Franco always seems able to deliver quality performances week in, week out.
After a mid-table finish with the Swans, the 25-year-old may very well be looking to take the next step, and a move to the London Stadium may very well be ideal for him
Sydie Peck
An all-round midfield player, Sydie Peck, seems like an incredibly logical option for West Ham.
The 21-year-old has now spent two years consistently playing for Sheffield United in the Championship, and his most recent campaign was particularly impressive, scoring five goals and registering four assists.
He is uber-positive, consistently attempting to move the ball forward to the front line, creating 43 chances over the course of the Championship season. He is a striker’s dream to play with.
His game is not perfect; he lost 50% of his duels last season, and defensively, he can be overly eager, leaving space for opponents to exploit, but these are skills that Espírito Santo could help develop.
Peck began his career with Arsenal and was born in Enfield, and would surely be intrigued by a return to the capital.