West Ham opinion: The Hammers must go for Maxime Gonalons

According to the Sunday Express (23/6; page 6)), West Ham are ready to sign AS Roma midfielder Maxime Gonalons on a bargain. Everton have been linked with the Frenchman as well.

According to the report, AS Roma are trying to get rid of Maxime Gonalons, who has flopped since arriving at Stadio Olimpico from Lyon in the summer of 2017. He managed just 16 appearances in his debut season at Roma and the Serie A club decided to loan him out to Sevilla last season.

The 30-year-old dealt with a spate of injuries during his time with Sevilla, as the defensive midfielder managed just 10 La Liga games all 2018/19 season. West Ham are in dire need of some midfield reinforcements, having already sorted out the goalkeeping department this summer.

They have also made an exciting signing in Pablo Fornals, who had arrived at the London stadium from Villarreal. In order to challenge for a place in Europe next season, Manuel Pellegrini needs a couple of quality additions more, especially in the midfield area.

The reason behind that is Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez failing to prove their worth last season, due to injury problems.

Wilshere and Sanchez spent almost the entire campaign on the sidelines, leaving Pellegrini with Declan Rice, Mark Noble and Pedro Obiang as options in central midfield. With Noble ageing and Obiang expected to leave the Hammers this summer, the club must prioritise signing a midfielder.

Gonalons could prove to be a decent option for West Ham next season. The Frenchman was highly rated before his move to Roma and while he has touched his 30s and has endured injury problems for the last couple of seasons, he still has a lot to offer at the highest level.

A defensive midfielder by trade, the hardworking Gonalons excels in ball-winning, interception skills and quick distribution. He is a good reader of the game and is also known for his superior work rate, which gives the team’s creative players the license to threaten the opposition defence more.

The ex-Lyon skipper is also strong in the air and never hesitates to jump in tackles and challenges to break the opposition’s advances.

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For a West Ham side expected to challenge for a place in Europe next term, they’ll require depth in the squad and Gonalons would be an ideal addition, whilst providing cover for Rice.

Verdict

If the Frenchman stays clear of injury and manages to regain his mojo that made him a star at Lyon, Gonalons could be a very smart addition to Pellegrini’s squad.