Sports
West Ham hold talks over signing new CB who can end Kilman’s Hammers career
To say things are looking grim for West Ham United at the moment would be a colossal understatement.
When Nuno Espírito Santo was appointed manager earlier in the season, there was a hope that he’d be able to steer the Hammers away from a relegation battle.
However, with 21 Premier League games played, the East Londoners sit in 18th place, seven points off safety.
However, it might not be time to lose all hope, as the club are trying to improve the squad this season and, if reports are to be believed, could have the chance to sign a significant Max Kilman upgrade.
West Ham in the picture for Kilman upgrade
While West Ham’s ownership has got a lot wrong over the last few years, they are at least being proactive this month, bolstering the squad to try to stave off the drop.
For example, it’s just the second week of the window, and they’ve already signed two new strikers in former Lazio ace Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe from Portuguese club Gil Vicente.
However, as most fans will point out, the attack hasn’t been the side’s biggest problem; it’s been the defence.
Fortunately, it looks like the Hammers might have the chance to bring someone in who’d help them with that, someone who’d be an upgrade on the disappointing Kilman.
At least that is according to a recent report from the Mail’s print edition, which claimed West Ham were in the picture to sign Oscar Mingueza.
In fact, the report has revealed that, alongside Newcastle United and Aston Villa, the East Londoners have been offered the player during talks with Celta Vigo and could sign him for just £8m.
The reason for the reasonable fee is that the Spaniard will be a free agent in the summer.
In all, while the competition could complicate matters, West Ham should bring Mingueza in as soon as possible, not only because he’s a great player, but because he’d be a great Kilman upgrade.
Why Mingueza would be a great Kilman upgrade
So, the first thing to say is that yes, during his time at Celta, Mingueza has spent more time playing as a right-back than anywhere else.
|
Mingueza’s versatility |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Games |
G |
A |
|
Centre-Back |
86 |
2 |
7 |
|
Right-Back |
74 |
3 |
6 |
|
Right Midfield |
33 |
2 |
5 |
|
Left-Back |
19 |
1 |
1 |
|
Left Midfield |
8 |
1 |
2 |
|
Right Winger |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Central Midfield |
1 |
0 |
0 |
However, that just highlights one of his key strengths: position versatility.
Across his career, the four-capped Spanish international has made 86 appearances at centre-back, 75 at right-back, 42 in midfield, 19 at left-back and even one at right wing.
In other words, the 26-year-old has the match intelligence and technical ability to play wherever his manager needs him, which at the London Stadium would be at the back.
Don’t just take our word for it, though, as respected analyst-turned-scout Ben Mattinson described the “underrated” number three as the type of “player who covers the whole backline” and not only that, but is “top in all” positions.
In stark contrast, Kilman can only really play at centre-back, and so far for the Hammers, he has been a liability there, to say the least.
In fact, BBC commentator Sam Avery described the Englishman’s signing as “horrendous” following the Wolverhampton Wanderers’ defeat and went even further, describing it as “by far the worst” addition the club have made in recent years.
|
Mingueza vs Kilman |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics per 90 |
Mingueza |
Kilman |
|
Non-Penalty Expected G+As |
0.25 |
0.05 |
|
Progressive Passes |
4.86 |
2.24 |
|
Progressive Carries |
1.24 |
0.29 |
|
Key Passes |
1.62 |
0.24 |
|
Tackles |
2.29 |
0.94 |
|
Tackles Won |
1.14 |
0.47 |
|
Ball Recoveries |
4.10 |
2.47 |
|
Aerial Duels Won |
62.5% |
58.2% |
|
Goal-Creating Actions |
0.57 |
0.00 |
|
Shot-Creating Actions |
2.95 |
0.41 |
Unsurprisingly, then, when comparing the players’ underlying numbers from this season, it’s the Celta star who comes out looking far better.
According to FBref, he comes out on top in practically all relevant metrics, including tackles and tackles won, ball recoveries, percentage of aerial duels won, shot- and goal-creating actions, key passes, expected assists, and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, given his quality and the price tag on his head, West Ham should be doing all they can to sign Mingueza as soon as possible; he’d be an incredible addition to Nuno’s squad and a monster Kilman upgrade.
West Ham join race to sign “physical” defender amid Max Kilman criticism
The Hammers are looking to improve their leaky backline.
