Carlos Sanchez faces “months out” after injury during 8-0 Carabao Cup triumph

West Ham midfielder Carlos Sanchez Moreno suffered a potentially season-ending injury less than 10 minutes into their 8-0 thumping of Macclesfield Town in the Carabao Cup 3rd Round last night. Rumours today, leaked by The Mirror, suggest that the £4m deadline-day signing from Fiorentina has suffered medial ligament damage.

The 88-capped Colombian International has made 6 appearances for the Hammers so far in the 2018/19 campaign, however it looks like the 9 minutes the midfielder played in the cup tie may be his last this season, as he limped off following a strong tackle. New manager, Manuel Pellegrini signed the 32 year old in the summer transfer window to add depth to his squad, having already brought fellow midfielder Jack Wilshere in on a free contract earlier on in the transfer window.

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However, with England international Jack Wilshere also injured (Ankle, 6 weeks approx.), this is likely to force West Ham back in to the January market for yet more reinforcements to add to the £100m summer spending. It was already rumoured, before both injuries, by infamous serial ITK blogger ExWHUEmployee, that West Ham have identified a midfielder befitting of the description “powerful and hard working”. This will surely become of even greater importance on Manuel Pellegrini’s shopping list.

West Ham United are yet to make any official statement regarding Carlos Sanchez’s injury.

One would imagine this also represents another opportunity for the career potential of young superstar Declan Rice. The 19 year old defensive player has received plaudits from both supporters and pundits alike for his stellar performances in midfield this season, having played most of last season covering defensive injuries at Centre-Back under David Moyes.

London-born Rice has been the subject of controversy in the last few weeks, having asked Ireland boss Martin O’Neil to leave him out of the National Team for their competitive fixtures against Wales and Poland, as he considers making a shock switch to Gareth Southgate’s 2018 World Cup semi-finalists. Whilst the Hammers’ academy graduate has earned three caps for the ‘Boys In Green’, he hasn’t featured in a competitive game, and so is entitled to declare for England.

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He has also been linked with a move away from West Ham amid contract talks with the club that would bring his wages in line with the rest of the first team, having established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet. It is reported that the player and his agent declined a £12,000 per week contract earlier this week, feeling that the player is worth more. West Ham are presumed to be wary of increasing said offer, after the situation with Reece Oxford’s senior-team contract a few seasons ago.

Rice, however is said to have “no intention of leaving the club”.

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