West Ham United’s uplifted form under Nuno Espírito Santo has been typified by one key theme: stability. During April just gone, when the Hammers went unbeaten across three league games – winning two – and narrowly exited the FA Cup quarter-finals to Leeds United, Santo made only two changes to his starting XI in an aim to preserve their Premier League status.
Of course, most players have established themselves as first-team certs, with the likes of Malick Diouf, Mateus Fernandes and club captain Jarrod Bowen all accruing over 2,600 minutes so far this season.
However, the one position that continues to split opinion within the West Ham fanbase is ‘Who should be West Ham’s right-back for the run-in: Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Kyle Walker-Peters?’ The two full-backs have split gametime during Santo’s short tenure, but it is Walker-Peters who has taken command in recent weeks, benefiting from the former’s international gallivanting with DR Congo.
Analysing how Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Kyle Walker-Peters’ seasons compare
As mentioned, 29-year-old Walker-Peters has been the Hammers’ go-to option in the right half-back position in recent weeks – playing all available minutes in April. The two-time England international had only started and finished six games prior to April, compared to Wan-Bissaka’s 18.
Wan-Bissaka, who joined the East London club in August 2024 from Manchester United, has seen his once-lauded reputation for tough tackling and ability to recover position quickly favoured throughout the main portion of West Ham’s battle for survival.
According to Opta, the former Crystal Palace defender ranks sixth across the Premier League for interceptions this season. Historically, Wan-Bissaka has been one of the division’s best volume defenders – contributing heavily to defensive participation regardless of success, and has lacked the onus on the offensive end.
Although this season he remains a pretty active defender, it’s Walker-Peters who has ousted him as West Ham’s more valuable contributor in that area. The former Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur man, who is better known for his ability to progress the ball with his diminutive carrying, leads the West Ham squad in ground duels won (5.95 per ninety), according to the aforementioned data collector.
As evidenced by his last four outings, Walker-Peters has combined his gritty tendencies in the duel with a subtly progressive approach to ensure quick transitions between attack and defence, something that West Ham had struggled with for much of the season.
Who should be West Ham’s right-back for the run-in?
Naturally, the question of, ‘Who should be West Ham’s right-back for the run-in?’ is a two-pronged one.
Firstly, the context of the fixture should be taken into account. West Ham travel to Brentford today, host Arsenal next weekend, followed up by a trip up north to face Newcastle before taking on Leeds on the final day. Given the intensity required across all four games, it could be argued that Wan-Bissaka is an ideal option thanks to his physical advantage.
However, the suitability with Bowen, West Ham’s leading player and attacking fulcrum, leans more toward Walker-Peters’ camp, who has shown he can provide width on the right, allowing the Hammers’ skipper to cut inside and work his productive magic.
The tried and tested has been Santo’s calling card in the final stretch of the season; it would be foolish to change it now, given what’s on the line.
