Why West Ham should plot a summer swoop for Javier Manquillo
Back in December 2019, the Telegraph had claimed that West Ham were plotting a January move for Newcastle United wing-back Javier Manquillo. However, no deal materialised during the January transfer window.
Manquillo, 25, joined Newcastle United from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2017. He has made 50 Premier League appearances for the Magpies so far. The Spanish wing-back has endured an injury-hit 2019/20 campaign that has limited him to just 11 league appearances, of which he has only started nine times under Steve Bruce.
The 25-year-old has not played for Newcastle since the 1-1 draw with Wolves in January. With Manquillo’s contract at St. James’ Park expiring in the summer, West Ham must rekindle their interest in him.
West Ham have been defensively awful this season, leaking a whopping 48 goals in just 27 games. Their problems at the back were once again exposed earlier this week when they lost 3-2 at Anfield to Liverpool, despite leading 2-1.
Given that Liverpool are unbeaten this season and have been a dominant force at Anfield, Moyes and co. should have at least been satisfied with a point on Monday after playing so well.
However, yet again, the Hammers’ defence folded and they had to return back east London empty-handed. Regardless of what West Ham’s status is at the end of the season, the manager must prioritise reinforcing the backline. In addition to a central defender, the east London outfit must also recruit a right-back.
West Ham’s first-choice right-back, Ryan Fredericks has endured an injury-hit campaign. He has played 20 league games this term but will now miss six weeks of action after undergoing surgery due to a shoulder injury he sustained during last week’s Premier League clash against Manchester City. Barring Fredericks, Moyes has two backup options in Jeremy Ngakia and Pablo Zabaleta.
Jeremy Ngakia impressed hugely against Liverpool earlier this week but he is just 19 years old. On the contrary, Pablo Zabaleta is 35 and out of contract in the summer. It’s clearly visible how light the Hammers are in the right-back area and why the manager must strengthen it ahead of 20120/21 campaign.
Read More
- Why West Ham should make a move for Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser
- Why West Ham should plot a summer swoop for Gabriel Montiel
- Why West Ham should have signed Gabriel Barbosa in January
Having said that, the east Londoners must go for Javier Manquillo. He has also played for Liverpool and Sunderland in England, as well as spending time with Atletico Madrid and Marseille. The former Spanish Under-21 international has decent Premier League experience and his versatility is seen as one of his major assets, as he is equally at home playing at left-back or right-back.
Verdict
Signing a new right-back is a must for West Ham. They would be smart to move in for Manquillo, who could replace the ageing Zabaleta and offer a reliable, stable alternative to Fredericks next season.
