Premier League 2018/19 review: Progress under Pellegrini but West Ham can do more
There were reservations whether West Ham had made the right decision to make former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini one of the best paid managers in Premier League history but his first season at the club was an encouraging one with room for plenty of improvement.
It must not be forgotten that to begin with it looked a terrible appointment. West Ham started the season with four straight defeats, including an opening weekend 4-0 hammering to Liverpool. Summer signing Carlos Sanchez quickly proved a disastrous signing, while their gamble on Jack Wilshere backfired massively.
It wasn’t until youngster Declan Rice established himself as a first-team regular in central midfield that West Ham starting finding some stability and Pellegrini deserves credit for bring the best out of the England international.
In the end the Hammers secured a top-10 finish for just the third time in the last seven Premier League seasons and finished with a respectable points total of 52.
Top rated player – Felipe Anderson (7.23)
West Ham were one of the most active Premier League sides in the summer transfer window and pulled off one of the most eye-catching deals in the market by breaking the bank to land Lazio winger Felipe Anderson for a £36m fee.
Lazio supporters and Serie A fans knew that West Ham were taking a huge gamble, as the 26-year-old struggled for consistency during his time in Italy, but West Ham will be content with his maiden season in the Premier League.
Anderson finished 2018/19 with nine goals and four assists to his name, as well as six WhoScored Man of the Match awards and the best WhoScored rating at the club (7.23). His goal contributions earned West Ham an additional 10 points.
The Brazilian dazzled with his footwork, completing more dribbles per game than any other player at the club (2.1), but also impressed with his work rate off the ball, with only Declan Rice (2.9) averaging more tackles per game than Anderson of all West Ham players (2.5).
Biggest Disappointment – Jack Wilshere
It really is a toss up between any numbers of players. Carlos Sanchez, Samir Nasri and Lucas Perez could have quite easily all taken this category but it is instead reserved for Jack Wilshere.
Signed on a free transfer from Arsenal last summer, the 27-year-old once again failed to overcome his injury woes and managed just eight league appearances for the Hammers.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side took a gamble on the former England international, like many of us still aware of his capabilities, but time is running out for Wilshere to salvage a Premier League career.
While few will be surprised that Wilshere has failed to stay fit, West Ham must sorely regret handing the midfielder a three-year deal worth more than £100,000-a-week. To make matters worse, West Ham lost all four matches Wilshere started in the league this season.
Surprise Package – Declan Rice
Declan Rice is someone that has always been rated very highly at West Ham but few will have predicted the youngster to have a season as good as he did so early in his career.
The 20-year-old started the season in and out of the team but he quickly made his place in the team his own and is now tipped as the future of England’s midfield.
England have lacked a natural defensive midfielder in their ranks since Owen Hargreaves left the scene and Rice is certainly capable of playing a similar role.
In fact, only Empoli youngster Ismael Bennacer (168) has won possession in the midfield third more times than Rice (161) of all players aged 21 and under in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Where to Improve – Bolster central midfield options
Improving West Ham’s options in central midfield was something Manuel Pellegrini tried to address last summer. Carlos Sanchez and Jack Wilshere were both signed but neither can be relied upon and now the Hammers will have to address their mistakes again.
With Declan Rice linked with a big money move away, the need to strengthen in midfield may very quickly become urgent. Rice started 34 of a possible 38 league games this season and captain Mark Noble started 29. Given Noble has just turned 32, Pellegrini will need someone with fresh legs to come in and compete with his current options.
Pedro Obiang has been heavily linked with a move to Serie A in recent windows, suggesting his future is not at the London Stadium. Even with Sanchez and Wilshere sidelined for most of the season, the 27-year-old only started 12 league games.
League Position: 10th
Grade: C
