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Three players West Ham United should sign

Sports Mole picks out three players that we feel would improve the playing squad at West Ham United.

It would be fair to say that Upton Park was not the happiest of Premier League grounds last season.

The Hammers may have retained their Premier League status for another term, but the style of play implemented by Sam Allardyce was criticised by a large number of supporters.

Even so, the board have for now kept faith with Allardyce, who has promised to introduce a more exciting brand of football this time around. He's already made five additions, including Ecuador international Enner Valencia, but more players are expected to arrive. Here, Sports Mole has picked out three more to help Allardyce to deliver on his promise.


1. Carl Jenkinson, Arsenal

Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson in action against Aston Villa on August 17, 2013© Getty Images

While the football was dreary and too one-dimensional for many fans, West Ham were at least impressive defensively last season. Allardyce's charges kept 14 clean sheets in total from their 38 outings - a statistic only bettered by five of their counterparts.

The West Ham boss has already bolstered his left-back options by signing Aaron Cresswell from Ipswich Town, but recruiting another defender to add further depth would do little harm.

In Jenkinson, the East Londoners would be getting a defender that offers some versatility. The 22-year-old can play at right-back, but if needs be, he can also move inside. His starting opportunities at Arsenal appear to be limited, so a move across the capital, even if it were to be a loan one, could well appeal to all parties.


2. Yevhen Konoplyanka, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk

Dnipro's Yevhen Konoplyanka celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Fiorentina during their Europa League group match on December 12, 2013© AFP

Allardyce may well have revealed plans for West Ham to play a more expansive game under his stewardship, but there is every chance that he won't abandon his old ways completely.

Andy Carroll is the type of centre-forward that relies heavily on good deliveries into the penalty area, while new signing Valencia, with an imposing physical presence, may also thrive from crosses. West Ham have wingers capable of producing the goods, but the likes of Stewart Downing and Matt Jarvis can be inconsistent.

Consequently, having alternative options in wide areas is never a bad thing. West Ham are thought to have already had a bid rejected for Konoplyanka, but the Ukrainian winger is worth an improved offer. He has the pace, skill and eye for goal that would make him a danger in the Premier League and at the age of 24, he still has plenty of room for improvement.


3. Joel Campbell, Arsenal

Joel Campbell of Olympiacos in action during the Greek Superleague match against Levadiakos on January 18, 2014© Getty Images

Deep down, Allardyce is probably full of regret when it comes to his £15m signing of Carroll last summer. The centre-forward not only dictates the style of football that West Ham play, but he has also spent most of his time at Upton Park on the treatment table.

The England international's latest absence will keep him out of action for around four months, which will provide Allardyce with the perfect chance to play two strikers, rather than just one. While having a good leap like Carroll, Valencia is a good footballer, as is Mauro Zarate.

Pace is an asset that is lacking in the West Ham attack, though. Campbell would provide that and what's more, he would arrive with a point to prove. The 22-year-old signed for Arsenal in 2011, but work permit issues have meant that he's yet to feature for the Gunners and has instead been loaned out. Arsene Wenger is thought to have been impressed by the Costa Rican international at the recent World Cup, but wants him to show that he can perform in England's top league.


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West Ham's Stewart Downing in action against Newcastle on August 24, 2013
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