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Pellegrini would be wise to avoid signing his experienced 32-year-old compatriot for West Ham and here’s why

West Ham opinion: Should Pellegrini sign Gary Medel?

According to a report from Turkish media outlet Super Haber, West Ham are close to agreeing on a deal for former Cardiff City midfielder Gary Medel. The report reveals that the Hammers will sign the Chilean in the summer as Manuel Pellegrini looks to bolster his midfield.

Medel’s current deal with Besiktas ends in just over 12 months and West Ham could bag the veteran at a cut-price deal. However, Medel will turn 32 in the summer and he isn’t the kind of player that the Hammers should be looking at.

Medel is a destroyer in midfield, he specializes at breaking play up with his powerful tackles. The Chilean has proven his quality over the years during his time at Sevilla, Cardiff City and Inter Milan but a return to the Premier League at the twilight of his career might prove to be a difficult task.

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West Ham already have Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang and youngster Declan Rice, who are all capable of playing the role of a deep-lying midfielder. The Hammers also have Edimilson Fernandes out on loan in the Serie A to provide them with an incredible option in central midfield.

Fernandes is still only 22 years old and has been exceptional in his loan spell at Fiorentina this season. Decline Rice, at just 20 years of age, has been a star in the Premier League. Mark Noble has proven his quality time and again for the Hammers in the middle of the park but is an ageing player.

All these midfielders possess a variety of traits which suit West Ham’s style of play under Pellegrini and can do a job in both a deeper role and in the number 8 position. Gary Medel would be surplus to requirements for the Hammers, whose playing style limits him to only be a player who breaks up play.

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Medel’s passing has always been a weakness in his game and that could really hurt West Ham, who have been using their midfielders to build the play up this season. Declan Rice has excelled in that role and has been a vital part of Pellegrini’s system.

Medel also offers very little in terms of offensive play, having failed to score or assist a goal in 20 games for Besiktas this season. Rice, on the other hand, has been impressive going forward and his shots from the edge of the box have proven to be a real threat for the Hammers this season.

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Conclusion

The Hammers already have a number of players who can play in Medel’s position and each of them provides a lot more to the team than the Chilean.

West Ham should abort their interest in the 31-year-old and focus on signing someone younger and more versatile in the summer.