Pellegrini answers questions on Wilshere and Yaya Toure

Sarah Winterburn

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has been asked about Jack Wilshere’s best position and a possible move for Yaya Toure ahead of this weekend’s clash with Bournemouth.

Wilshere started the Hammers’ 4-0 defeat to Liverpool as an advanced midfielder ahead of Declan Rice and Mark Noble, but remedied that problem by taking off Rice and introducing Robert Snodgrass.

Now, asked which is Wilshere’s best position, Pellegrini answered: “I see Jack playing as a holding midfielder. He can give us good build-up and is a player who is always creating during the game.

“He’s done very good in the Premier League. The length of time he was there reflects how good a job he’s done.”

The Chilean was also asked about a possible move for his former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure but answered: “Yaya Toure is a good player, but in this position we have our players.

“He will always be a good player, but for the moment he is not for West Ham. For the moment, the squad is complete.”

Pellegrini allowed Edimilson Fernandes and Toni Martinez to leave the club on loan this week.

But he appeared to rule out a move away for another youngster, highly-rated defender Reece Oxford, who has been linked with a return to the Bundesliga having been on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach last season.

“When we built up a squad we knew that some players had to go out, especially young players who need to play. They knew from the beginning they would go out on loan,” added Pellegrini.

“The squad is the squad I want for the season. I don’t think any other players are going out at the moment.”

It was a chastening start to the season for West Ham as Liverpool’s forwards consistently tore through their high defensive line.

But Pellegrini has no plans to alter his attacking philosophy as the Hammers prepare for their first home match, against Bournemouth on Saturday.

“The first game won’t change our mind,” he said. “I was asked before the game what was the target for this season and we didn’t have a target, we just try to win every game we play.

“After we lost that game we continue exactly the same, try to play as well as we can, try to play win as many points as we can.

“We are trying to have a solid team and I hope we can do it as soon as we can.”