West Ham United missed out on a potential game-changer last summer by choosing James Ward-Prowse over Youssouf Fofana. The club’s decision to prioritise Ward-Prowse has now come under scrutiny following a startling revelation.
According to a report from The Athletic, Hammers director of football Tim Steidten favoured a move for Fofana instead of Ward-Prowse last summer, but was over ruled by David Moyes. Whilst the claim isn’t too surprising, it is incredible to read it in black and white and highlights why there must have been growing tension between the manager and director of football.
Youssouf Fofana possesses exceptional qualities that would have been of huge benefit to West Ham. His athleticism, mobility, and ability to carry the ball forward would have been invaluable to the team. Fofana is a complete midfielder who seems to have it all. It seems like an opportunity missed.
While James Ward-Prowse is a talented player, he lacks the physical attributes and mobility of Youssouf Fofana. Ward-Prowse’s strengths lie in his passing and set-piece ability, but he struggles to contribute defensively and was caught out on several occasions last season. That’s not to say that JWP was a failure at The London Stadium, he was a decent signing who provided some telling assists and weighed in with his fair share of goals too. But looking back with a bit of hindsight, it may well be that the wrong decision was made.
JWP is a great lad but it was obvious he wasn’t the right choice
The fact that we were the only club to come in for him says it all. I always thought he was overrated when it came to his all-round game. His skills were useful to us, but he never did enough to warrant his place as a first choice.
I really hope he has a great time at Forest. Such a lovely lad and was so professional and always came and clapped the fans, win, lose or true.
I can only wish him all the very best. Top professional in attitude and work rate.
Shame it hasn’t worked out. Believe it or not I much prefer to be proved totally wrong (most will say as I am most of the time!) and it’s a much better feeling than getting it right because it means our club has benefitted.
Moyes did a great job in improving WH in many ways (even the odd attractive game !!) until the Euro final and he refused my call to leave then and take all the glory. Since then he has almost ruined the club. Small aged sqaud and i feel he was so anti Steidton he automatically refused to allow any player he suggested. HE brought in Ings, Phillips and JWP amongst others but he always assumed they could play to his rules rather than how there success had been obtained. The new management has been unbelievable until now, long may it continue smoothly onto its stated aims.
Moyes brought in a lot of ‘obvious’ players. I think he believed that the PL was unique and that it required players who understood it. At the same time the PL was undergoing huge changes in playing style which swept those ideas into the dustbin.