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3 West Ham players neutral fans have overlooked this season

Fabian Balbuena

The Paraguay international is like a new player this season and has been keeping Issa Diop out of the starting XI.

(Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)

Balbuena’s solidity and consistency are huge reasons for the Hammers’ improvement at the back in 2020/21, and the South American is surely heading the right way for a new contract, with his current deal expiring next summer.

West Ham typically concede a lot, but Balbuena deserves credit for his role in making David Moyes’ side much more resolute and stubborn.

Aaron Cresswell

The full-back, turned centre-back, turned full-back again has been superb for West Ham this season.

West Ham United Training Session
(Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)

Moyes appears to have solved the conundrum of ‘Cresswell or Arthur Masuaku’, with both players have benefitting from playing in a back five.

Masuaku is currently injured at the moment so Cresswell has reverted back to a more familiar left-back role, but he’s done well there too.

Some called for him to be sold, and neutrals haven’t really rated him, but his performances in 2020/21 cannot be denied.

Vladimir Coufal

The £5.4 million summer signing from Slavia Prague () has been a breath of fresh air at the London Stadium and is already a popular figure at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Premier League
(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

He represents a big upgrade on Ryan Fredericks, who has serious work to do to get back into the side over the Czech Republic international.

The energetic 28-year-old’s contributions arguably haven’t yet been fully acknowledged by the neutral, but Hammers fans have been blown away with what they’ve seen early doors.