Two stars with uncertain futures will be completely reborn in new positions at West Ham United next season.
Both Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals know what it’s like to be flavour of the month with David Moyes at West Ham.
And equally each of the midfielders know how it feels to lose the trust of the Scot too.
Moyes has taken a taskmaster approach to managing Benrahma at West Ham. And their relationship has not always been smooth sailing.
Fornals was one of the first names on Moyes’ West Ham teamsheet the season before last. But he found game time hard to come by last term and he admit it deeply hurt him.
The Spaniard’s outpouring of emotion when he scored that goal away at AZ Alkmaar to seal West Ham’s place in the Europa Conference League final said it all.
Two stars with uncertain futures will be completely reborn in new positions at West Ham next season
Both players have effectively been competing for that one spot on the left. And despite a late spurt of form from Fornals, Benrahma kept his place for the final – scoring in the unforgettable 2-1 win.
This summer, though, the Hammers have been heavily linked with a big money move for Harvey Barnes.
That’s despite Moyes also having forgotten man Maxwel Cornet in his ranks for that position.
Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg has claimed Fornals, Benrahma and Cornet all face uncertain futures at West Ham.
If links to Barnes are accurate – and he is said to be a prime target – then it’s easy to see why.
But two stars with uncertain futures will be completely reborn in new positions at West Ham next season.
West Ham fans have long bemoaned Moyes’ use of Fornals on the left. He has even played as a left wingback on occasion.
Journalist casts doubt on futures of fan favourites but change could give them a new lease of life in squad rebuild
It is widely felt the Cockney Carzola’s best position – where he can do the most damage with his excellent passing vision – is more central.
We must not forget West Ham signed Fornals from Villarreal after he starred for Spain Under 21s as a second striker when they lifted the 2019 Euros.
With Manuel Lanzini and Declan Rice both leaving, there is space to be filled in West Ham’s central midfield options.
Lucas Paqueta will be a guaranteed starter of course. But a partnership with Fornals could be interesting depending on who the Hammers sign to replace Rice from a defensive standpoint.
While Benrahma is undoubtedly more adept of the two playing on the left, he has plenty of experience playing a striker or second striker too.
So if West Ham do sign Barnes and Benrahma was to remain then he could be considered as a striker option – as he was so often when making a name for himself at Brentford.
Making room and plugging gaps
With Barnes and Jarrod Bowen either side and the likes of Paqueta and Fornals playing balls through for him, Benrahma could be a menace and a totally different option for Moyes.
Consider this. In his current position Benrahma has to beat three or four players in order to get a chance to have a shot at goal.
As a forward he would usually only have to beat one player for that opportunity. With his skill and trickery that part of the game comes easily too him.
It would be a shame to lose two fan favourites like Benrahma and Fornals. West Ham will need a thick squad again for another European campaign.
And it the duo are used in those different positions, it could give them a new lease of life while also making room for new arrivals in key areas and plugging gaps in others.
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