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How West Ham could line up this season with Javier Hernandez

New arrival: Javier Hernandez: West Ham United via Getty Images
New arrival: Javier Hernandez: West Ham United via Getty Images

West Ham’s recruitment drive is in full swing after Javier Hernandez became their fourth summer signing on Monday.

The Hammers were quiet at the start of the transfer window, but £16million Hernandez joins Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart and Marko Arnautovic as Slaven Bilic reshapes his squad with the financial backing of club owners David Gold and David Sullivan.

Suddenly the Hammers have a large squad with competition in most positions, offering Bilic plenty of tactical options next season.

It is unlikely that England goalkeeper Hart would have joined on loan from Manchester City had he not been guaranteed first-team football.

The 30-year-old's previous loan spell at Torino was a mixed bag, and his place as the No.1 keeper in Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad is not secure ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Adrian is a more than capable alternative though, and will be waiting in the wings should Hart fail to live up to his marquee billing.

(West Ham United via Getty Images)
(West Ham United via Getty Images)

Aaron Cresswell did not have the greatest of 2017-18 campaigns, but performed well the season before last and would keep Arthur Masuaku out of the side if he rediscovered his best.

West Ham's new boys

Key summer signing stasts

  • Joe Hart has 119 clean sheets in 302 Premier League games (39.4 per cent) compared to 29 from 106 for Adrian (27.4 per cent)

  • Pablo Zabaleta has 19 assists from 230 matches - one in every 12.1 games on average. Sam Byram has just one from his 22 Premier League matches.

  • Marko Arnautovic created 1.66 chances per 90 minutes last season while Andrew Ayew managed 0.94.

  • Javier Hernandez scored 28 goals in the last two Bundesliga seasons combined. Andy Carroll has scored 30 in the Premier League since joining West Ham in 2012.

Winston Reid remains one of the first names on the team-sheet, and Bilic will need to choose between Angelo Ogbonna and January recruit Jose Fonte to play alongside him.

Ogbonna was injured for the back-end of last season but recently signed a new five-year deal. That he is left-footed would suit the balance of the back four well and he may get the nod over 33-year old Fonte after regaining full fitness.

Pablo Zabaleta will likely walk straight into the right-back slot, but given his age and style of play his inclusion will probably see Bilic ditch the back-three that was implemented at times last season. Sam Byram can offer something more direct if needed.

(West Ham United FC)
(West Ham United FC)

The sitting midfield two will likely comprise of captain Mark Noble and Chiekhou Kouyate, although Pedro Obiang will be looking to muscle in on the latter’s spot after he too signed a new long-term contract.

The front four is where things become really competitive. The arrival of Arnautovic will see Manuel Lanzini take up a more central role to accommodate the Austrian, who likes to cut in from wide.

(Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
(Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)

Hammer of the year Michail Antonio looks set to retain his right-wing role ahead of Andre Ayew, and £16m Hernandez will be the man tasked with making the most of the creative talents around him to put the ball in the back of the net.

Should Andy Carroll retain a good level of fitness he could be used in a two with Chicharito, in place of one of the flexible trio behind.

POSSIBLE WEST HAM 2017-18 STARTING XI