West Ham’s stated aim of looking at the less expensive Scandinavian and Dutch markets for new recruits does take them onto the path less well travelled but doesn’t stop them running into competition for players. And, daily, the ‘reports’ still hit the national media regarding the Hammers’ pursuit of players even though they my not be quite such ‘big ticket’ or high profile as the top six Premier league sides splash the cash this summer.
The dailymail.co.uk were quick to report the Hammers’ interest in Celtic’s target Mathias Kvistgaarden last month: the story has continued to be reported as the ‘new Hendrik Larsen‘ keeps being linked in articles even this morning with a move to the Premier League. The doubts seem to be centred about the likelihood that a £12 million Danish frontman make the jump to the Premier League.
However when a club spends just £12 million the risk entailed is negligible: It is hardly going to be a catastrophe of Rasmus Højland (€77mill) proportions if he fails. Whist Kvistgaarden might, or might not, be a great addition to the West Ham squad he is not going to be a prime-time nailed on first team starter in August – but then for £12 million the club have no right to expect that.
The Daily Mail certainly seem enamoured with him though, so perhaps I am underestimating:
“With Frankfurt also long-term admirers of Kvistgaarden, West Ham have now entered the race to sign one of the most sought-after young strikers in Europe.”
23 goals in all games for the 23 year-old last season means he certainly knows how to find the back of the net: As competition for Fullkrug and a ‘second-tier striker in development’, a useful addition but hardly one that is going to set the pulses racing at London Stadium. But a good place to start.
Problem is, you need the new signings in for early training so the squad starts to blend. It just seems the usual shambles from us, clueless from top to bottom to be honest.
You can see 6 points from first seven games and the panic starts all over again.
Something major has to give at this club, we shouldn’t have players preferring to join a Fulham or a Brentford, what the hell is going on ?
Oh sorry, Sullivan !!
The majority of PL teams haven’t signed anyone yet so let’s just wait & see what happens as it’s not doom & gloom yet. If we haven’t made any signings when the season is like two weeks away then let’s start panicking at that time.
Hopefully Daniel Cummings will be a revelation alongside Niclas Fullkrug.
Same old West Ham. Pre season will start for us at the start of the season as no early signings. We just do not learn. With a very sad heart I can see us being relegated.
Light weight and injury prone apparently. We obviously need a physical presence with pace. This would be another Ajeti I would imagine…
A start needs to be made somewhere Martin, we look like dead meat unless we have at least a decent window. I’m extremely nonplussed at the moment some sort of boost is needed.
long way to go yet, last summer nothing happened for 1st six weeks.
But look at what happened last season with our late signings. It took too long to find out our best team, some players didn’t get a preseason and were never fully EPL fit (Tobido and Fulkrug spring to mind).
I agree we have plenty of time to sign players but…….not much time to sign our first choice players; to give them time to integrate into their new life, the squad, Potter’s way of playing, to get fit by EPL standards and ultimately give us a chance to get off to a reasonable start. If we don’t get off to at least a reasonable start the fans may turn quickly against Potter and the merry go round could start again.