Former West Ham left-back Emerson has taken a swipe at Graham Potter, revealing he was frozen out of first-team training before his move to Marseille.
The Italy international, now thriving at Olympique de Marseille under Roberto De Zerbi, spoke candidly about his difficult final weeks in East London. “Before the transfer I spent 50 days training alone,” he said, revealing how abruptly his Hammers career unravelled.
As Claret & Hugh exclusively reported in April, Emerson had been told he could look for a new club and was not part of Potter’s pre-season plans. He eventually sealed a deadline-day switch to Marseille, where he has already cemented himself as a starter under De Zerbi.
“I Spent Nearly Two Months Alone”
Emerson revealed that the transfer almost collapsed due to slow negotiations between the two clubs. “Two weeks before my arrival, I had already said yes to De Zerbi, but the agreement between the clubs was missing,” he explained. “I was a bit nervous because I feared they wouldn’t find common ground. The coach wanted me so much that they waited until the end.”
Emerson was an excellent signing for West Ham
The Irons Europa Conference League hero said West Ham refused to lower their demands, leaving him in limbo and training on his own for almost two months. Despite the uncertainty, he remained calm, convinced that Marseille would eventually get the deal done.
Emerson also reserved high praise for his new manager. “I’ve had many coaches in my career, but never one like him. He puts incredible passion into everything he does, and above all, he values the human side. Before I even arrived, he told me that if my wife or kids needed anything, he would be there.”
All things considered, Marseille got a hell of a deal for an excellent player who is thriving in Ligue 1 and cost less than £1m. Therefore Emerson’s complaint that “West Ham didn’t lower their demands” doesn’t really hold up to scrutiny. That said, he was an excellent servant for the Hammers and probably deserved better than to be training on his own.
Was he frozen out ? Or did the previous managers post Moyes just prefer Ollie Scarles or Wan Bissaker or Cresswell playing left back. Emerson totally lost form at the end of his playing time with us. It was no surprise when he was dropped from the team.
I suspect there was an issue with the fee for Emerson……until we caved in for the £1m.
He’s worth more, a very good professional and why Potter excluded him to the extent he did is poor. Potter seems to struggle with senior pros, particularly those who may have an opinion.
You wouldn’t want disruptive individuals in the squad, but why wouldn’t you want people who, in the right way, are prepared to give an opinion.
No wonder there are a lack of leaders in the team.
A pretty childish and pathetic way to treat an adult who was a decent player for the club. But then again what do we expect from someone as pathetic and feeble as Potter
I thought that one of our better performances last season was the 1-1 draw away at Villa – Alvarez crossing for Emerson to ghost in at the far post and head home – I really wonder why Potter took such a dislike to the two of them – so its not that Potter really liked Ollie Scarles – it is just that he didn’t want to play Emerson
I wish Emerson all the best with Marseilles
Pathetic to the core. How can such a thing even be allowed in today’s life.
Smacks of poor tactics for which the board, together with Potter and Mark Nobel should get roasted for.
I say Noble because as a former footballer + captain, he would never have expected such diabolical treatment.
Yet he let that happen to Emerson, who could have played a massive role at West Ham with Creswell at left CB?
Pathetic West Ham, you all should be jailed for this abuse.