West Ham United’s persistent midfield challenges have been widely acknowledged. The disappointing performance during Kalvin Phillips’ loan tenure underscores the urgent requirement for a proficient central midfielder. Amidst this backdrop, the prospect of Amado Onana relocating to the London Stadium presents an intriguing proposition.
Initially, the Belgian midfielder was in close proximity to finalizing a deal with manager David Moyes. However, he rendered himself unattainable due to excessive wage demands, subsequently opting for a transfer to Everton while West Ham pursued the acquisition of Lucas Paquetá. There exists a conjecture that Moyes’ original strategy involved procuring Jesse Lingard from Manchester United on a free transfer and deploying Onana alongside Declan Rice in midfield.
Onana possesses a proven track record and shares a comparable skill set with Phillips, offering tenacity and defensive stability. The financial turmoil engulfing Everton provides West Ham with a timely opportunity to secure a player they previously coveted.
Nevertheless, lingering uncertainties persist. Onana’s tenure at Everton hasn’t been particularly illustrious, potentially instilling apprehension among West Ham supporters regarding another unproven loanee following Phillips’ struggles.
Ultimately, the decision rests on Moyes’ strategic vision. Will he seek a direct replacement for Phillips, or does he aspire to instigate a tactical shake-up? While Onana presents a viable option, West Ham must delineate a clear plan for his integration into the existing midfield setup. With Edson Alvarez serving as the linchpin of the team, the role of Tomas Soucek could conceivably be subject to alteration.
Should Onana rediscover his form, this potential transfer could prove to be a masterstroke. However, it also entails the risk of becoming another ill-fated gamble. West Ham must exercise prudence and ensure that Onana is indeed the missing piece required to unlock their midfield’s latent potential.