Why West Ham need Franck Kessie to bring stability to their midfield

As per Calciomercato (h/t Evening Standard), West Ham are still interested in signing AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie in the summer.

Kessie, 23, came through the ranks of Stella club d’Adjame in Cote d’Ivoire and joined Atalanta’s U19 side in 2015. AC Milan signed him initially on loan in 2017 and two seasons later, his move to San Siro was made permanent. Since then, he has been a regular member of the Serie A side and has impressed despite the club not reaching its heights.

Meanwhile, West Ham have endured a disastrous season right from the start of the campaign and as a result, Manuel Pellegrini lost his job. They started off brilliantly under David Moyes, beating Bournemouth 4-0 in the league but failed to carry on the momentum.

The Hammers have won just one of their last eight games and are level on points with relegation-threatened Bournemouth. The key players have been inconsistent and the manager had to do with a lot of injuries to the players.

Summer signing Pablo Fornals, Sebastien Haller and Albian Ajeti haven’t matched the expectations and the midfield hasn’t struck as a group. Therefore, the manager should bring in reinforcements to the midfield to strengthen the squad.

Former Arsenal man Jack Wilshere has been out of action for the majority of the season due to injury and Mark Noble has been the only consistent player, contributing with 4 goals and 1 assist.

Carlos Sanchez is another player who has been frozen by Pellegrini and Moyes, as he failed to convince them for a place in the starting XI. And Salvia Prague loanee Tomas Soucek is the only other midfielder available in their ranks.

With a lack of midfield quality, West Ham need to bring in players who can add value to the team and AC Milan’s Franck Kessie would be the right option for the Hammers.

The Ivorian has been a regular in the Italian outfit’s squad and has is one of the players who has done well in the midfield for AC Milan. Hammers can add him to the squad in the place of the ageing Mark Noble and Kessie is capable of operating as a defensive midfielder and also in an advanced role.

His inclusion in the squad would allow the likes of Fornals to play in a higher role without having to sit deeper in a defensive situation. He can be a valuable player alongside Declan Rice, who has run out of partners for the majority of the campaign.

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Verdict

Sanchez is out of contract in the summer and Noble is already 32. At the same time, Soucek, who is on loan, could be on his way to Prague. This would leave them with limited options in the midfield if they don’t consider a midfield reinforcement.

Therefore, the Hammers making a move for Kessie in the summer would be a wise decision.