It’s the subject that nobody speaks about at West Ham. The sight of one of our most bitter rivals signing one of our most effective, best-loved players ever means that Hammers fans repress the truth like some footballing childhood trauma. Writing about it will open a stream of comment and criticism from Claret and Hugh readers still in denial. And I don’t care.
It is time to face the unfortunate truth: Declan Rice’s departure still, 20 months on, leaves an enormous gap in our side, which successive managers have failed miserably to fill.
Forget the spoiled and tarnished “Arteta” version of Rice of today, two years ago Declan got stuck in and helped create something going forward in a way that nobody knew how to achieve last night.
The £100 million-plus income ‘should’ have funded a replacement: Edson Alvarez is a poor copy, much like a Rolex copy watch from China. Looks ok, but put it under pressure and it fails.
Tomas Soucek never was a replacement, limited, much as we love him for sticking his head and his body on the line, as a box to box midfielder he doesn’t have the skill or the passing ability. Carlos Soler would still be at PSG if he was any good and Guido Rodriguez- just no.
Until West Ham find a skilful, creative, box to box midfielder who is able to influence the game in a way that none of that trio in midfield did last night, there is no point in spending £30,£40,£50 million plus on some Jhon Duran-type striker clone.
It doesn’t matter who is wearing the ‘9’ shirt. Without creativity, pace and build up play, whoever had been standing up front last night, they wouldn’t have had a sniff. I read reports of a new generation of midfielders like Angel Gomes on the radar with a growing sense of desperation.
That is where the summer priority lies. Forget waiting for Paquetá to perform. At least four out. Bring in decent midfielders. Because I can’t look forward to watching another season like this one.
You are right in principle about Rice , but you could take your assessment further . He steadily developed into a very special player . and frankly became irreplaceable. In my view I don’t believe that the W.H. hierarchy really understand that. They possibly only saw him as a saleable commodity, and could be simply replaced by a cheaper version or versions if necessary , and make a bit of profit to boot. GOOD BUSINESS EH ! No bad business . IF they had any ambition they would have kept him at any cost , and continued to build a team around him . working for the short , medium, as well as long term. using all the assets available.
Bang on about rice he used to boss games for us winning the ball pingin 50 yard passes to Bowen in space weve not had anyone like that since and that coincided with Moyes demise rice was the glue that held it altogether, dont want to pre empt but watching Potts Sunday looked like a young rice 🤞
We had several good approach works from Kudos and Bowen but no big striker to aim at and no fox in the box. Bowen our only forward who may reach double figures.
I agree with your sentiments Martin. Very important summer and yet again we need to have a proper clear out. After four years of poor recruitment, we need to get it right this time. During my 120 mile drive home after last night’s game I developed the following plan.
Hopefully the cupboard isn’t completely bare and we can at least scrape together the £32m to pay the Todibo money we owe without breaking PSR rules. That will leave Potter with the opportunity to use funds raised from player sales.
I suggest all of the following are sold / let go with upper end of transfer value in brackets: Emerson (£7m), Mavropanos (11), Aguerd (22), Irving (2), Cornet (2), Rodriquez (6), Alvarez (20), Fullkrug (10), Kudus (45), Guilherme (15), Ings (0), Soler (0), Ferguson (0). It will be a shame to sell Kudus but he would raise important funds and, as last night showed, he’s lost his way and his best position is wide right (and Bowen is hopefully staying there).
With the £140m raised, we need to spend the majority (say £110m) on a strong defensive midfielder with pace to play alongside JWP, a proper No10 and a decent centre forward. The remaining £30m can go towards filling the gaps in the squad. Unless we can replace some of the oldies (Cresswell, Fabianski, Antonio, Coufal) with decent free transfers (such as Walker-Peters), then we’ll need to keep them for now.
If we get the recruitment wrong again we will be in a relegation scrap.
Why don’t we wait & see if Earthy, Potts or Orford to name a few of the youngsters who could light up the midfield next season
A really good article. It has been an horrendous season. The club need to have a root and branch review as time and time again the current system of signing players is failing. We are so far behind the likes of Brentford and Brighton who if put both together still don’t have as many supporters as the hammers. We got to trust GP and his staff and start to move forward with a clear plan and identity.
Replace the whole of the midfield.
We have had our differences Martin but you are spot on here.The only thing is half the team need changing and that’s going to take a few transfer windows.
I really want to support Potter but the way he set up the team,was late on bringing on subs(ings🤔)so reminded me of last season Moyes.
At one time in the second half Newcastle supporters were chanting “boring” when we had possession and you couldn’t disagree.
Good night to plug the season ticket renewals?
What a load of faecal matter – Our football at the White Elephant since January 2022 has been consistently woeful with less than half a dozen memorable games in this four & a bit years period.
Stats now show we have the fewest shots in the Premier league under Potter (which is some achievement given Ipswich, Soton and Leicester are the three worst bottom 3 sides ever in the 23 year history, and by some way, of the Premier League) – which really showed how useless we were under Lopetgui.
Even with these indisputable facts there are still people out there who passionately defend & support Soucek & Ward- Prowse???
If there is a God of football please let The London Stadium fall into a giant sinkhole that takes Brady & Sullivan with them.
Bang on the money. The “white elephant” finally revealed. Needs to be solved this summer with the acquisition of 2 not 1 central midfielder with “legs”. Biggest failure of last summer and big reason why Lopetegui failed so spectacularly trying to implement a high press , possession style
I agree and (puts head below the parapet) towards the end of last season Moyes did highlight that as the source of our defensive woes
I totally agree