The last few weeks have been hellish for West Ham United. The Hammers have struggled massively as of late and in their last nine games, they’ve managed just one win, ramping up the pressure on Manuel Pellegrini and plenty of the players as they find themselves 16th in the table.
However, things could be set to turn around quickly for the Hammers, and all it takes is a couple of wins after the international break and the Irons could find themselves as high as 5th, seeing as they’re just four points off Sheffield United who occupy the first spot outside of the Champions League places.
For that to happen, though, it looks like one man will have to come back into the fold. The man we’re referring to Angelo Ogbonna, the Italian centre-back West Ham have failed to win a single league game in which he’s been left out of so far this season.
The Hammers have taken part in two games in the Carabao Cup and 12 in the Premier League, of those 14 games Ogbonna has been involved in eight and from those games the fans witnessed three wins, three draws and just two defeats, yet the six games where Ogbonna played no part have returned just one win, one draw and four losses (Transfermarkt).
This isn’t just a coincidence, and when you look at the player’s individual stats it shows just that. Ogbonna’s numbers have been impressive this season. No West Ham player has managed more blocks or clearances per 90 minutes than the Italian, and he also ranks fifth for tackles and fourth for overall rating, as per WhoScored.
Who is West Ham's best centre-back?
Angelo Ogbonna!
Issa Diop!
Fabian Balbuena
Football is certainly a dynamic game and we know that the same players can’t turn out every week and that rotation is a must, but Ogbonna is playing brilliantly and alongside Issa Diop he’s looked sublime, so bringing him back into the fold looks to be the smartest move for Pellegrini.
