Scouting For Bilic: 3 Cheap But Effective Championship Targets For West Ham To Sign

A dismal start to the 2016-17 season has seen the Hammers continue to hang around the relegation zone all season, with them ending up in 17th place just prior to the international break.

While it might be too early to tip them for an unlikely relegation battle as the season continues to unfold, West Ham’s early signs and form – which has seen them win 3, draw 2 and lose 6 aren’t promising.

However, their woeful run is part down to the injury plague troubling the talented squad, and the winter transfer window in January provides the perfect opportunity for Slaven Bilic to beef up his team.

Here are 3 cheap and effective Championship targets they could land to improve their fortunes for the 2nd phase of the season.

Beram Kayal

A defensive midfielder like Kayal could provide West Ham with much-needed creativity and protection in the middle of the park.

The Brighton & Hove Albion star looks capable of doing a better job than Kouyate who has been a shadow of himself this term.

Kayal’s defensive and offensive abilities make him West Ham’s ideal box-to-box midfielder, and making a move to the top-flight looks long overdue.

The Israeli international averages 2 defensive actions, 77% pass accuracy and 18meters pass length per game. In 6 Championship appearances, he has created 9 chances and completed 10 of his 13 attempted take-ons.

Sone Aluko

Having scored only 11 league goals this term, West Ham sure can do with a quality forward come January. Zaza and Calleri have failed to live up to the billing, and don’t look capable of delivering.

Though both Carroll and Ayew would be back in the fold by then, a quality addition would make some sense in the eventuality of an injury, and Fulham’s Sone Aluko fits the bill.

The 27-year-old who was released by Hull City upon regaining promotion back to the top-flight has become one of Fulham’s key players this term.

His performances saw him win the Championship player of the month for October, and the Tigers would be left ruing letting the former England youth international go.

Aluko has 3 goals, 4 assists and 13 key passes in 15 league appearances, and having excelled in a central attacking midfield role since his resurgence, a return to the top flight looks to be in offing.

West Ham needs such a quality and experienced playmaker.

Tomas Kalas

The Hammers have conceded the 3rd most goals (20), and they need a centre defender to help them get it right at the back if they are to make anything out of this campaign.

Fulham and Czech republic defender Tomas Kalas has been in excellent form for the 8th placed Championship side this season and would come handy for the Hammers.

The 23-year-old who is on his 5th loan from Chelsea has averaged 8 defensive actions per game this season, won 6 tackles out of 10, 17 of his 23 aerial duels and completed 4 of his 6 attempted dribbles.

Many still argue Middlesbrough missed a trick by not extending his loan term or signing him permanently after earning the promotion and Kalas has continued to prove his worth by gradually becoming a mainstay in the Craven Cottage outfit’s defence.

He has a goal to his name in 10 Championship appearances, and apart from being able to get him cheap on perhaps a loan term for the rest of the season with the option of making it permanent, West Ham could do with his quality.