Fortunately, in these post David Sullivan days, West Ham fans don’t have to be quite so alert to the prospect of the club taking on another liability in the transfer market.
Sullivan as Chairman and de facto head of recruitment used to like a washed up ‘big name’ player whose agent might have seduced him into a contract, regardless of the manager’s needs.
The wisdom shown this summer with Koppen and Nuno, seemingly operating from the same hymn sheet, suggests there’s less chance of West Ham going down that route once more.
Memories of horror tales of Sullivan’s attempts to sign Raheem Sterling and N’Golo Kante were invoked this morning with the ‘news’ that West Ham have been offered Jadon Sancho on a ‘free’ transfer in January. Yahoo Sports:
“Sancho could emerge as one of the Championship’s standout stars. However, he would need time to get back to fitness, and his struggles in recent times would raise questions over whether he can get back to his previous heights….
Sancho had a chance to move to West Ham in the summer of 2025 – Potter turned him down then and Nuno will surely turn him down 18 months later
A fit and flying Sancho is an understandably attractive option for West Ham. However, he is not a player they need, and through no fault of his own, he could become a bit of a distraction given the noise that follows him after a tough Manchester United stint.
No, no and thrice no: The last thing West Ham need is another tarnished millionaire looking for a big salary first and foremost and a club to shed, blood, sweat and tears for as a distinct second.
He’s a player who has never been far from controversy and bringing all that ‘baggage’ to West Ham’s promotion battle would be, indeed, an unwelcome distraction, however well he might perform on the pitch.
As the report concludes:
“The Verdict: Sancho is not a player West Ham need, despite the attraction”
Could not have written it more succinctly myself. It’s probably the only decision on which Graham Potter and I would agree: The former manager apparently declined the last chance to bring Sancho to West Ham – good to know he got something right, isn’t it.
And I doubt there’ll be more than a couple of West Ham fans who’d disagree.
Agreed, tbh I don’t think he will ever be the player he was, like Delle Alli once some players lose it, it’s gone forever.
Better to steer clear and focus on the players we do have.
Gonzo ide say do it Weve spent big money on big names that have failed This could work the other way in our favour Hes only 26 worth the risk Look how Di canio turned out for Harry boy Mind you Redknapp had balls and character something we are sadly lacking now
It’s a bit of a gamble, Mick, and Nuno’s not much of a gambler…
So desperate for stories , the club cannot afford overpaid has-beens, what’s wrong with bringing the youth through?
Has anyone notice that due to this wing play system we’ve adopted the cb’s seem to score more goals then our strikers? The ball seems to funnel out wide to Bowen or the Israeli magician and the both cut in and hit it or hit someone in the box. The current system doesn’t seem designed for a forward without the physical prowess of haaland. As for Sancho, attitude is abysmal and he would be a cancer. However, if someone could get that boy playing with confidence on a pay as you play deal for mediocre wages they’ve got a diamond. Just think it’s more likely he turns up in a Bentley and refuses to run in training!
100% agree!