Those familiar with the comedy Little Britain will recall the receptionist endlessly typing and muttering “Computer says no!” – a phrase that seems increasingly relevant to Graham Potter as he navigates the current transfer landscape at West Ham. Several existing players are keen to move on while key transfer targets are showing little interest in joining the club – despite West Ham being ranked the 16th richest club in the world – according to a recent report from Benchmark Group.
Angel Gomes has not responded to West Ham since February, and Jonathan David looks set to join Napoli – for Champions League Football. Even promising players from smaller clubs such as Ezechiel Banzuzi decided that RB Leipzig was a better option for furthering his career than playing at the London stadium.
With the club’s transfer strategy heavily reliant on players sales to generate funds – this summer’s transfer window could resemble a car boot sale – where the best items are quickly picked off, leaving behind what few others want as the market closes.
Head of Recruitment Kyle Macaulay’s data-driven recruitment approach will arguably highlight the same players that Brighton, Brentford and other analytically inclined clubs have similarly identified. As a result, deals will likely hinge more on wages and guaranteed playing time than dreams of silverware or European nights.
Ipswich Town spent over £100m last season in an effort to survive in the Premier League, a strategy that sadly back fired – West Ham will, after player sales, likely have a similar budget. Data will be key in Macaulay’s case to source and track the most suitable.
Celtic ‘B’ striker, Daniel Cummings, has agreed to join West Ham, which is a deal that Mark Noble pursued. However, there are conflicting reports about whether he will join the first team or be part of the development squad.
With five players being targeted for the senior team, and the decision to work with a small squad – the strategy is high risk and one that could carry serious consequences.
I’m sorry but how can Chelsea keep getting away with spending millions every season and the premier league fo @@@@ all about it. Other clubs are scared to spend a £1 more or they get an immediate points deduction but Chelsea and Man City just carry on. This just shows how corrupt this football is. The sooner they go bankrupt the better…
Listen to a podcast called The Price of Football. Find a relevant episode and they will explain it. It’s too complicated for me to try!
How is bringing youth through or buying potential to reduce the average age of the squad a higher risk strategy than buying rubbish on huge wages which has been our approach for the last few years? Let’s try something different, plan longer term and give Potter a chance to introduce players more comfortable in and out of possession and who can play a pass. Stop whinging for a bit please!
Summerville and Luis Guilherme both have explosive pace and hopefully we will see more from both players next season.
I think we all remember the consequences of working with a small squad. It was a Moyes decision that cost us a potential CL position.
Since then, it’s been a continuous downward spiral, working with a small squad in today’s premier league is nothing short of folly, as it seems we’ll rediscover.
Agreed. When you factor in the highest average age, the amount of increased injuries from players involved in too many games and a small squad, it’s not a recipe for success.
We need some really smart action in the summer but do not have a vision / strategy or the team to successfully accomplish this.
Not paying a release clause for a top manager / coach not only destroyed this season but will have a massive negative impact on the one ahead.
We missed the opportunity to build on European success and attract the key personnel to take us forward.
Backwards thinking by Sullivan has resulted in our demise.