This is the West Ham XI that can secure a European spot this season

Cheikhou Kouyate

Cheikhou Kouyate has been at West Ham since 2014 and has been a regular feature in the side since, but not always in the centre of defence.

In fact, the Senegalese international, who captained his country to a disappointing African Cup of Nations quarter-final exit last month, started the season in the centre of midfield, but struggled to have an meaningful impact on proceedings.

However, since Bilic has switched things around and occasionally plays a back three, the 27-year-old has played both in central defence and at right-back, with his last two league games in the latter position.

He’s clearly a versatile player who Bilic trusts to do a job, so expect Kouyate to remain a regular feature in the West Ham side for the rest of the campaign.