Now that West Ham have rather prematurely thrown in the towel in regards to playing in the Europa League next season, new Hammers boss Slaven Bilic will all of a sudden have to begin his first Premier League campaign under a cloud of increasing pressure it seems.
It’s bound to be a memorable 2015/16 season for the east-enders regardless of their recent exit from Europe however, for this upcoming league campaign will ultimately be the last one ever played at the Boleyn Ground. Upton Park has hosted many a historic footballing night throughout the decades, yet now it’s once immovable presence within the English game has seemingly reached its end.
With the new term already fast approaching for every top-flight team across the country, Bilic faces the distinct task of avoiding relegation throughout 2015/16, for West Ham simply can’t be operating in the Championship once they begin their new life at London’s Olympic Stadium.
So then, with former skipper – Kevin Nolan – looking increasingly likely to end his spell at Upton Park before the summer transfer window finally reaches its conclusion, Slaven Bilic’s first mission as West Ham United manager is to work out just who will be wearing the captain’s armband at his new club next season…
From a number of different clear cut favourites, to a couple of less obvious candidates for the role, the Hammers surprisingly have a decent group of players to select from in regards to choosing a new captain next term. One name certainly within the hat as it stands however, is current Barcelona midfielder, Alex Song. The former Cameroonian international spent the entire 2014/15 campaign on loan with West Ham last term, and became a strong favourite among the supporters whilst he was at it.
The former Arsenal man may currently reside on the books at the Nou Camp at the time of writing, but as the Hammers are widely expected to complete his signing on a permanent basis before the summer's end, Alex Song can certainly be considered a strong contender to take the skipper’s armband at Upton Park in 2015/16. If he can eventually get over his string of recent injury problems and ultimately re-cement his place back among the West Ham starting XI, the classy Cameroon midfielder would definitely make a good captain at the club with all things considered.
Another wise choice for the role next season is New Zealand international and reliable centre-back, Winston Reid. Both he and Song have previously led the Hammers out on occasion throughout their respective careers in the east end, yet as Reid recently signed a new long-term deal at the club just a few short months ago, the defender’s presence within Bilic’s set-up will be almost guaranteed.
The 27-year-old takes to his duties out on the pitch with a strong leadership style anyway. If Reid’s organisation of the Hammers’ back-line is anything to go by, he would definitely represent another candidate worthy of taking on the role of West Ham captain throughout the 2015/16 campaign.
Whilst he has only recently just become a West Ham United player at Upton Park this summer, newly recruited Dimitri Payet could also indicate another man likely to be in contention for the skipper’s armband next season. Yes, the talented Frenchman seemingly remains the most unlikely name on this list to be handed the role across the course of 2015/16 – but considering that he was reportedly Slaven Bilic’s first choice transfer target throughout the summer – perhaps Payet would actually make an ideal Hammers captain, seeing as the team is likely going to be built around him anyway next season.
However, although the aforementioned players certainly deserve their own individual shouts ahead of the new campaign, there is ultimately only one man truly worthy of taking over where Kevin Nolan left off last term…
Mark Noble simply remains the stand-out candidate to justifiably become the new Hammers captain next season. For his loyalty to the club, never say die attitude out on the pitch, unrivalled relationship with the Upton Park faithful, and proud status as the longest serving player at West Ham – the former England U21 international will truly make a strong captain from 2015/16 onwards.
The determined 28-year-old seemingly knows the club better than anyone out of the current crop of players under Slaven Bilic. He goes down as an actual fan of the team he plays for – a somewhat rarity in this day and age – and never fails to give his best out on the pitch.
Whilst certain other players at Upton Park next season may prove superior to the loyal centre-midfielder in terms of technical ability, experience and overall fitness levels throughout the entire Premier League season – Mark Noble is therefore the man who should ultimately be leading West Ham out during the 2015/16 campaign.
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