West Ham Director of Football Tim Steidten is focused on two defensive targets to replace Kurt Zouma and partner Max Kilman in the heart of the Hammers’ defence.
A top West Ham source revealed to C&H’s Sean Whetstone this morning that the club will pursue two centre-back targets identified by Tim Steidten if Kurt Zouma departs before the transfer window closes.
The Hammers are staying tight-lipped about the identity of these defensive targets to avoid alerting other clubs. This approach mirrors the strategy used to pursue both Niclas Füllkrug and Guido Rodríguez, whose names were kept confidential until negotiations began.
Speaking to Claret & Hugh this morning, the club insider said, “We’re running out of money and squad slots, but if Zouma leaves, Tim has two players in mind.”
It is believed that Liverpool’s £45m-rated England star Joe Gomez is not one of the two players on Steidten’s centre back shortlist.
“West Ham Director of Football Tim Steidten is focused on two defensive targets to replace Kurt Zouma and partner Max Kilman in the heart of the Hammers’ defence.”
This surely needs editing in your leader news! It suggests Max Kilman is being replaced as well as Zouma. I was horrified to see that and it’s what drew me in to read more.
Yep, I think it needs a comma after “Zouma” !
… or “to partner Max Kilman”.
So is Zouma, Killmans Partner? I’m not judging as it’s all above board these days
Hi Benny, I reckon Zouma would be Kilman’s partner if we didn’t get a new CB in. But we all know that would be a disaster. And, as S says, “partner’ in this instance is meant to be a verb and not a noun. However, it is a rather ambiguous sentence. Maybe it’s Gonzo being very clever with his style of clickbait! It certainly pulled me in!
I hope Zouma don’t find another club after him kicking his cat I have stop supporting westham because of him I have my 12th rescue dog from the raspca
Stop supporting west ham, yet strangely you’ve arrived on here?
I know what you’re saying, but “partner” is being used as a verb in this case, so it does make sense. He’s not referring to Kilman as Zouma’s partner.
Thanks S!
Good article Gonzo but the notion that deals are done on the quiet are wrong. It is in neither the player’s nor the selling club’s interest to keep deals secret. The player’s agent and the selling club made sure they let anyone club they thought might be interested know a deal was in play. They don’t need to plant stones on websites to get the word out. These players signed because they think they got the best offer they could.
Absolutely, there are 2 sides to every coin.
If someone takes Zouma off the payroll it will be the transfer of the window. It will allow someone able to make a contribution to come in. Ings would be another result.
Think Trevor Chalobah could turn out quality for us and he’s English
I agree with that one, Ryan. He’d be a good partner for Kilman.
Less talk more action needed just get the deals done and the players signed ffs. Let’s truly show some ambition to be a, top 6 team.
Well we did have 3 signings in, what, 4 days? That’s not too shabby!
Maybe the negotiators also get sidetracked by the finer points of the English language.