West Ham will start their Championship season as huge odds-on favourites for promotion, despite the squad situation being far from clear. The Hammers have yet to reshape their ranks after relegation with several departures expected and targets earmarked but as yet unsigned.
Nuno will be looking for urgent midfield additions to the squad because of the sale of his one creative talent, Mateus Fernandes – and even more so now because of the injury update on warhorse Tomas Soucek.
The Czech veteran was injured in the World Cup and, apparently, following ExWHUemployee’s update, faces a lengthy spell on the treatment table.
Injury update means Soucek faces months out
Soucek’s ankle ligament damage will mean he’s unavailable for the start of the season, likely ‘missing the first five or six games’ such is the severity of his injury.
Which will add a sense of urgency to the Hammers’ plans to bring James McAtee to the club: West Ham are reported as planning a huge splurge to bring the Nottingham Forest player to east London in what would be a Championship record- breaking deal if the Tricky Trees decide to let him leave.
Tornado Tom’s injury provides another headache for Nuno just at the time he could do with fewer balls in the air to juggle.
Ironically, Soucek’s absence might just prove the catalyst for the big money move to bring McAtee to West Ham, after a couple of seasons of links with the young u21 England International.
Soucek’s injury might also earn a reprieve for Edson Alvarez who had probably expected to be earmarked for sale or another loan season. With the possibility of defenders Todibo and Mavropanos also departing, keeping the Mexican – who played as a central defender during the World Cup – might yet prove a sensible option.
Soucek’s injury is a blow but maybe not as big a blow as it looks on paper. Having played in the tournament he’ll have missed the first 3 or 4 games anyway while taking his time off for recovery and relaxation.
On another point a good replacement is necessary and will maintain competition. At Soucek’s age a further injury or two after making his way back isn’t uncommon.
Everyone’s saying we’re big favourites for promotion, but it’s not that easy. It’s a long season in the championship, with early starts in the cups, and every week will be some team or anothers cup final.
Yep .. It took Bonds, Brooking, Devonshire, Martin, Robson 3 years and the the last two promotions were via the Play Offs, I think, so deffo not easy ..
We have so much cover for Tom he is less of a problem, Alvarez, Kante and Magassa can all cover that position then we have Potts who is probably most capable of covering for Fernandes position which is I suspect the reason we are after MacAtee.
Wouldn’t hold our breath though Glasner is likely to want to take a look at him, they have lost Elliot Anderson and need to find a replacement which I suspect will be harder than our task.
Alvarez won’t stay even if we want or need him to. He will be pushing his agent to get him sold.
He won’t take a 50% wage cut and play in the Championship, especially as everyone know Bowen doesn’t have the wage clause in his contract.
Todibo will be gone as he and Nuno fell out but we will be lucky to get £10m.
Mav has surprised me that there aren’t more links for him to be off a d not out the door already.
Keeping Alvarez is not such a bad idea . He has vast experience and skippers his national side . He is certainly a better bet in the Championship than Prem and is head and shoulders above any of the academy youngsters including Potts who is still there on a sentiment ticket , not on ability . Not sure what he actually does ?? He is not a defensive midfielder , does not create chances and is no better than average tackler .