This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

West Ham have got off to a reasonably good start in the Premier League but they could be better off had Manuel Pellegrini trusted one player more often.

On the chalkboard

Whilst the Hammers have earned good wins against Watford, Norwich and Manchester United, they can consider themselves to be slightly fortunate to be as high as eighth.

The reason for that is teams haven’t taken their chances in most of the eight league games they’ve had. The trip to Aston Villa stands out as an example of that, with Dean Smith’s side unable to find a goal their pressure arguably deserved.

According to Experimental 361’s Premier League expected goals table, Pellegrini’s side would be as low as 12th if the opposition they have faced had scored the chances they were expected to.

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That casts doubt over the promising start West Ham have made in terms of wins and points earned, as they would have one less victory – and would have conceded twice more – if those goals had come.

As a result, the Hammers need to improve defensively, and since Mark Noble and Declan Rice are the best defensively-minded midfielders at the club, Pellegrini could call upon Fabian Balbuena, who has barely featured after the opening day defeat against Manchester City.

Shoring things up

West Ham may have gone on a six-game unbeaten streak in the league, but it slightly worrying that they have still conceded 11 goals in eight Premier League games.

Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna have started the majority of those matches, and although the latter has gained praise recently, he should be the player dropped in favour of Balbuena.

The Paraguayan has a better record than his teammate since signing for the club, helping his side keep five clean sheets compared to Ogbonna’s three last season.

From his 23 starts in 2018/19 the Hammers only conceded 31 goals, compared to 36 conceded from the 20 league games Ogbonna started, so it is clear they are more resolute with Balbuena at the back.

The defender also outclassed Ogbonna in winning tackles last year, with an average of 1.7 per game compared to the Italian’s 1.3, and trumped him in interceptions made – which is key to solving the problem of conceding chances – with an average of 2.3 compared to 1.5 per game.

West Ham visit Everton next up, a fixture last term in which Balbuena stamped his authority in the team and showed exactly why he was brought in, and these recent findings may lead the Chilean to consider a recall for the 28-year-old.