West Ham United could form a scary duo with Nathan Ake | OneFootball

West Ham United continue to defy expectations under David Moyes, and their incredible charge up the Premier League table is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

A magnificent comeback victory over Chelsea on Saturday kept them in fourth place and firmly in the hunt for a Champions League qualification place, but January could be a pivotal month for the Hammers.

With injuries beginning to take their toll on Moyes’ charges and the fixture list showing no signs of easing up, who the capital club are able to bring in over the winter window may have a huge impact upon their future fortunes.

Experienced defender Angelo Ogbonna has already been ruled out of action for the rest of the campaign due to an ACL issue, while West Ham’s advancement into the knockout stages of the Europa League means midweek game will remain the norm for the foreseeable future.

Would Ake be a good signing?

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Therefore, Moyes will surely be tempted to bolster his ranks with one or two additions in January, with Manchester City’s Nathan Ake a reported target.

According to 90min’s Toby Cudworth, the 26-year-old is on the capital club’s wishlist ahead of the upcoming window as they look to find some much-needed cover for Ogbonna.

He tweeted: “Excl: West Ham interested in signing Nathan Ake from Manchester City. Club in the market for a new CB after Angelo Ogbonna’s injury and haven’t won any of the 3 PL games he’s subsequently missed. Loan/permanent deal both options.”

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Can you name all 10 ex-Hammers? First up... He assisted the first goal at the London Stadium but made only 8 appearances for the Irons, who is he?

Havard Nordtveit Gokhan Tore Pedro Obiang Jonathan Calleri

Imagine him and Kurt Zouma

If West Ham are able to entice the £100,000-per-week centre-back to the London Stadium, then they could form a scary duo at the heart of the defence.

France international Kurt Zouma joined the east London outfit over the summer in a £29.8m deal, and he’s already established himself as a key player for Moyes’ high-flying charges.

The 27-year-old has started West Ham’s last 11 top-flight fixtures, playing a pivotal part in their success, as highlighted by his impressive underlying numbers.

As per WhoScored, Zouma has averaged a whopping 5.2 clearances per league game this term, placing him above all of his teammates for that particular metric, while also recording 0.9 blocks, 2.1 aerial duels won and 1.2 interceptions.

Partnered alongside the passing and aerial ability of the “outstanding” Ake, the duo certainly have the potential to form a formidable and quite frankly scary partnership. The Dutchman has averaged as seriously impressive 92.4% pass success while winning 2.4 aerial duels per game of his own – more than Zouma.