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West Ham offloading midfield star for £10million would be a big blunder and Pellegrini should avoid it

Why West Ham offloading Pedro Obiang would be a mistake

Pedro Obiang isn’t a Manuel Pellegrini-esque star, which is among the many reasons why he’s only played the full ninety minutes just 6 times in 18 appearances this season. However, the midfielder has made over 100 appearances for West Ham United since his arrival but he could be on his way out now, with Sky Sports revealing that a move to Fiorentina beckons.

The Daily Mail has claimed that the Serie A side have offered £10million for Pedro Obiang and while that meets West Ham’s valuation of the Spaniard, the Hammers shouldn’t let him go, simply because they only have three fit midfielders, which includes a brilliant Declan Rice, Mark Noble and Obiang himself.

Both Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez are on West Ham’s books but both of them are out with long-term injuries at the moment. However, given Manuel Pellegrini’s preference for Declan Rice and Mark Noble as his main midfield pair, Obiang’s chances of playing first-team football have dropped significantly, especially after the young Rice’s rise.

Pedro Obiang

The 19-year-old versatile star has been in fine form since taking over the midfield spot, even scoring his first Premier League goal against Arsenal on Saturday. However, this rise has seen Obiang suffer a lack of game time and the former Atletico Madrid youth star has come off the bench on more than one occasion.

But given their injury issues, West Ham need to convince the 26-year-old that he has a future at the club, otherwise, they might face more problems in the near future. The Hammers are targeting a Europa League spot and while that isn’t impossible, they need a squad full of depth and resilience to make it there.

They have to compete with Arsenal, Manchester United, Wolves, Leicester City and Everton but there are only three spots for the taking.

However, given Obiang’s skill set, his presence, whether off the bench or as a starter, could be crucial in key games. A box-to-box midfielder by trade, West Ham do not have too many of those in their armoury at the moment, and finding one with Pedro Obiang’s stamina and defensive acumen will be a tough job.

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Even if it is possible, it is certainly not something that needs to be done in the January window and if Manuel Pellegrini and company convince the 26-year-old that he will get game time, then there is no reason to sell him.

Of course, if that doesn’t happen, then there is always the summer transfer window and the Serie A move could still happen.