As West Ham row back from the ‘former regime’s’s claims that players need to be sold to fund the astronomical levels of debt, fans and observers are waiting to see those fine sentiments become actions rather than mere rhetoric.
Daniel Kretinsky’s statement that nobody needs to be sold is a lofty starting point: Fernandes apart, hanging onto West Ham’s senior players would be a huge shot in the arm for the club’s chances of returning to the Premier League at the first attempt.
The search to replace the young Portuguese midfielder is an urgent one: As West Ham’s sole creative player, his sale when it inevitably happens will reduce the Irons to a workmanlike and industrious midfield without a player in the squad capable of pulling the strings: This probably accounts for teamtalk.com‘s assertion today that:
“Hammers find replacement for Man Utd target Mateus Fernandes’ –
Claiming that the Irons already have a Baldrick-like ‘cunning plan’ for coping in the second tier of English football without their midfield superstar:
“West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton are all showing interest in Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan following his impressive breakthrough campaign.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a standout season for Hibs, emerging as one of their most consistent performers in midfield……West Ham believe Mulligan could replace classy midfield operator Mateus Fernandes”.
Mulligan: U21 Scottish International
At a fraction of Fernandes’ £80 million price. Whether he’s up to filling the Hammers’ creativity vacuum is another matter altogether – not for one minute are there direct comparisons between the two players and it would be unfair to expect the young Scot to fill the world class 21 year old Fernandes’ boots.
With Ward-Prowse banished and the young trio of Potts, Magassa and Kanté offering hardworking if uninspiring options in midfield, Nuno will need at least one player of Mulligan’s modest creative talent if West Ham are to thrive in the Championship.