Even before Nils Koppen has officially settled into his new role at West Ham, as we wrote yesterday, the club’s recruitment machine is already whirring and one name keeps surfacing, Martin Adeline, the highly regarded Troyes midfielder. Hopefully it’s an early signal of the profile shift expected younger, technically sharp, development‑ready players who can grow in value.
Adeline potentially fits that mould and there is genuine interest from West Ham. Looking at reports during his time at Troyes he’s been a standout for his press resistance, tight ball control and ability to progress play through midfield. He would almost certainly give West Ham options as they reshape the squad for the Championship.
FC Koln, FC Lorient, RC Lens and Hamburger SV have also all been linked with the 22 year old, who scored ten goals and provided 11 assists in the French Ligue 2 last season.
Troyes signed Adeline in 2024 for just €600k, and with his contract running until 30th June 2027, are looking for a sizeable profit on the versatile attacker.
If Koppen is intent on securing a young midfielder who can develop into a long‑term asset, Adeline arguably stands out as a logical and cost‑effective successor to Fernandes’ role and he has already been highlighted by the club’s scouting department.
Ultimately, though, the final call will rest with Koppen when his appointment is formally confirmed.
My first game at West Ham was on 21st October 1949 and have experienced all the highs and all the lows over 77 years. Since day one they have meant everything to me whatever division they have been in . I prefer the premiership but they are still my team in the championship and I will be there to support with my two sons and grandson . So come on hammers let’s take the season by storm and get back to the top where we belong. The players always in my thoughts are Malcolm ALLISON. Bobby Moore Johnny BYrne Geoff Hurst Martin Peters Ray Stewart and George Parris plus about 200 others all very special to me Come On You Irons
Well done mate,it’s great to know there is someone who has suffered for the cause longer than me and my mates. There are only two names I would add to your list. Ken Brown,a lovely man and Lawrie Leslie,a fearless keeper. Incidentally I believe Ken is the oldest surviving Hammer at 92!
So many great players. Wish in a way could go back to such times and though it sounds purely sentimental of course, somebody like Soucek has that love & admiration for the club those players might have had.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane and I hope the club which has decent people leading it in Kretinsky, Vanessa Gold perhaps new DOR (since they chose him), can build up this base of players from the academy & otherwise who like Soucek, Noble play for a lot more than just the obvious.
In itself with players like that, you get unity. NES talked and talked and talked about passion, unity but apart from coy training videos with players hugging each other, you never actually saw it on a pitch except for Dinos and Disasi who had something going on. Never seen such a bunch of strangers playing in the same team.
Same as Potter talking of positivity – it’s the cart before the horse. First you need players like that, then you need evidence on the pitch and THEN you talk about unity. Managers keep repeating these things like mantras that they seem to believe are self-fulfilling.
Or we could just be taking a punt on yet another ‘cheap prospect’ no one has ever heard of, and who disappears without trace having never troubled the first team.
I’d love to be wrong, but we’ve all been here a thousand times before.
Hopefully it is about to change mate now Sullivan is no longer pulling the strings