4 ways West Ham can line-up in the upcoming Premier League season

#3: 4-4-1-1

The system is equally adept at attack as well as defence

The 4-4-1-1 formation is very similar to the 4-4-2, instead of the two out and out strikers in the 4-4-2 a creative player is deployed behind the out and out striker in 4-4-1-1.

The system is equally adept at attack as well as defence and tend to make players cover lesser ground compared to the other formations.

The system allows a creative player to thrive as they are given a bit more freedom to operate. The right and left midfielders can use the space on the wings during attacks an effectively make three upfront assault on the opposition defence. He has more options, to pass short or long, dribble, cut wide or bear down on goal.

While the defensive rigidity is provided by the full-backs as they are not allowed to go out on all attack instead made to play in their zones.

Pellegrini used this formation effectively in the Premier League occasionally with Sergio Aguero thriving as the sole striker and David Silva playing with his atmost brilliance.

It is toss up between Wilshere and new recruit Anderson to play the behind striker role with Arnautovic up front. Kouyate, Yarmolenko, Noble and either of Anderson or Wilshere is expected to make up the midfield four, while Young French defender Diop and Ogbonna are expected in the centre with Fredericks and Masuaku or Cresswell (in his preferred position) in the full-back roles and Lukasz Fabianski in the goal.

Lanzini, when fit, is sure to force his way into the Chileans plans. He will most likely play behind the striker while Wilshere will be slotted to centre midfield and if Anderson is the behind striker he will be slotted to left of the field to accommodate the Argentine.

While Pellegrini can opt to play the versatile Anderson just behind the striker with young Haksabanovic on the left.