The West Ham United management and recruitment machine managed to secure the transfer of Guido Rodriguez almost to the point of signing without a sniff of it appearing in the public domain. Several ITK sources are reporting that they were asked to refrain from publishing details, such was the delicacy of the deal and the likelihood of another club trying to hijack the player’s move if alerted.
This time West Ham really did pinch the player from under the nose of a European giant: Barca Blaugranes reported in May that Rodriguez had signed a pre-contract agreement to join in July. Once Barcelona sacked Xavi as head coach however, apparently everything changed.
However it was kept under wraps – and we of course await the ‘official’ confirmation any day, after that of Summerville yesterday afternoon with Fullkrug close too and Wan Bissaka not far away, it was a bit of a master stroke.
I found myself short on detail so did some research on the defensive midfielder about to pull on the Claret and Blue kit for a press session, any time this weekend apparently.
The thirty year old has just completed his four-year contract at Spanish side Real Betis (appearing 29 times last season) and left as a free agent at the end of this 2024 season. Widely tipped to join either Barcelona or Fenerbahce, he is an immensely experienced player who has 30 international caps for Argentina including a World Cup winning medal , and interestingly was a team mate of our own Edson Alvarez at Club America in Mexico.
It is said he welcomed the opportunity to join The Hammers under Lopetegui and United progressed the deal in ‘radio silence’ whilst attention was on other midfield targets.
His list of achievements is pretty impressive:
World Cup winner 2022. Double Copa America winner 20/21 and 23/24. Spanish Cup winner 21/22. 1 x Mexican champion 18/19. Mexican Cup winner 18/19. Plus One Mexican Cup, Copa SudAmerica, Copa Libertadores and a UEFA Cup of Champions with Argentina in 21/22.
What can we as fans expect from Rodriguez? I looked back to 2016 for insight, where a scouting report on his then club Tijuana advised:
“Think N’Golo Kanté, but taller, and a bit less energetic. Guido Rodríguez plays as a holding midfielder for Tijuana, where he breaks up opposition attacks, regains possession for his side, and instigates counters. Rodríguez can be described as an aggressive player, not as a result of rough play, but because he’s always looking to step up and recover the ball for Tijuana.”
Sounds like a recruit to East London that will add depth and experience to our midfield and should be exactly what The irons’ need to staunch the flow of goals conceded last year. Plus of course once he is signed and photographed he will add a whole level of debate as to the style Lopetegui will adopt. Two defensive midfielders plus Paquetá more advanced? Can’t wait to find out.
Once the ink is on the contract I for one shall be congratulating the management for the way in which the deal was seen through.
Very smart dealings from the West Ham hierachy! It’s a pity that they couldn’t keep the score of the Crystal Palace friendly match a secret too. 😞
He played 36 minutes in a group match to get his World Cup winners medal.
He was slower than Kante in2016 , don’t think he will have got any quicker in the 8 years since.
30 years old , hardly the young dynamic sort of player i want to see at West Ham.
Well after Moyes decimated our squad over the last couple of years, I don’t think it is gonna be possible to sort out that mess without a few stop-gaps over a couple of windows
Provides much needed cover for Alvarez now that Downes has gone. Smart move.
Joe Gomez for right back, much more versatile, not Bissaka.
Very smart signing for us. I really hope the small minority of our fans who moan constantly and go on as if they know their football give our new manager the time he needs to implement the new passing and pressing style he intends to play. We have had an excellent window so far but the team will need time to gel. If you are a genuine fan of West Ham please support the club wholeheartedly.
Spot on Tony!!
You have my word to do just that Tony.
Patience is in short supply nowadays, we’ll be in a transition process for this season, probably starting with numerous defensive lapses but thereafter when the new methods bed in and the players have had time to adapt we will improve considerably as the season goes on.
Up the Hammers.
COYI