How West Ham could line up if Allegri were in charge

Football Italia

·4 December 2024

How West Ham could line up if Allegri were in charge

As former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League to replace Julen Lopetegui at West Ham United, here is a look at how the Irons could line up if the six-time Serie A winner were in charge.

West Ham in a back three

For the vast majority of his time in Serie A with Juventus, Allegri preferred to utilise a back three system. Though he would not have Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini at his disposal, West Ham do have some options that could make this system work.

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Jean-Clair Todibo, when fit, Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavraponas would be likely starters as natural centre-backs, but there are also several full-backs who could also slot into a back three, such as Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Aaron Cresswell.

Destiny Udogie of Tottenham (R) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (C) of West Ham in action during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, in London, Britain, 19 October 2024. EPA-EFE/DAVID CLIFF

Most recently at Juventus, Alex Sandro and Danilo were converted from their natural positions at full-back to defenders in a back three under Allegri.

3-4-3 vs 3-4-2-1 vs 3-5-2 under Allegri

The rest of the possible West Ham line-up if Allegri were in charge depends on his preferred system in attacking areas.

Allegri most commonly used a three-man midfield in his last season with Juventus, but had also used a front three in a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 during his time in Turin.

Whatever the system, Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez would likely remain regulars at the base of midfield, although there could also be room for Carlos Soler in that department.

The rest of the midfield and attack depends on the system, but would likely see some form of combination between Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Niklas Füllkrug.

Here is how West Ham could line-up in three different back three systems under Allegri.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri (L) stands with players as they celebrate their victory after the Italian Cup Final between Atalanta and Juventus at the Olympic stadium in Rome on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)