Oggy 33
David Moyes’ oft repeated desire to build a young and energetic West Ham is set to come under examination this summer as he moves into his second transfer market since returning to the club.
For he will know that there’s eight players players in the over 30s bracket and a number in the upper twenties as he looks to reinforce.
Noble 34
Right now we have Lukasz Fabianski, 36, Darren Randolph, 34, Oggy 33, Mark Noble 34, Craig Dawson, 31, Andriy Yarmolenko 31, Aaron Cresswell 31 and Michail Antonio 31.
Add Winston Reid to the squad, although the club will be hoping his loan exploits with Brentford draws an offer from the newly promoted Bees or elsewhere, and we have what is becoming maybe an urgent age problem on our hands.
When one considers that we have also been linked with Olivier Giroud 34 and Marko Arnautovic 32 it becomes apparent that, if we believe the Moyes stated way forward, much of the media speculation is utterly absurd.
Currently – apart from the two veterans mentioned – few realistic names have escaped from the club as targets although Tammy Abraham at 23 would be a step in the right direction as far as age is concerned at least.
New signings are required with an important Premier and Europa League programme ahead and the manager needs to be looking at young players under, hopefully, a revamped scouting system.
I certainly agree we should be targeting younger hungry players in our recruitment drive, but most of the names you mentioned have proved they have a lot to offer both in performance and as importantly experience, which will be much needed next season. I’m sure David Moyes knows the type of players he needs to strengthen the squad, let’s hope he succeeds. Even Yarmolenko could have a role in the Europa league which may suit his game perhaps? He certainly knows where the goal is as he proved for Ukraine .
Yes, Yarmo is a talent but don’t think he suits PL especially with age now & injuries he is great for a few games or impact but to be our highest earner £110k is a lot. So maybe it will help us get a fee, I’d of let go for free as long as we don’t have to subside any wages. We have to stop doing that! Think Series A suit him better but talks he wants to go back to Dynamo Kiev & not my top choice but they have a very good LB in Mykolenko at 22.
I think it is important that we start the process sooner rather than later, as it can take a while for new players to settle; and we have many games this season. Junior Firpo would be a good investment at only 24, and he could be a natural long-term replacement for Cresswell over the next 1-2 years.
I think Oggy & Dawson should be ok for a few more years, and we have Diop and a few younger academy players, that might be knocking on the door for the squad positions. A new CB would be great, but I think Alves/Diop can play in the cup games next year, and then we have Alese and Baptiste showing good quality as well (but I know Moyes want experience!).
Antonio is critical I think, as he is a bit injury prone; and we really really need a new striker anyway. Odubeko, can maybe be the 3rd striker next year; he certainly has something.
For the middle of the park, I guess they brought in Ekwah as a potential Defensive midfield squad/back-up, but we do need someone else here; I don’t think it will be enough with Noble and Coventry…
So for me it is (In priority): Striker + Lingaard + Left Back (Firpo?) + (Central Midfield)
What is your prioritized positions? 🙂
Agree though some forget too even with a a new CF or Two especially if one is our & out & one versatile, Antonio is still very good on right & left. We just can’t rely on him all the time & then we should get the best of him as he ages. I’d love a Tammy type then a Hložek or Armstrong. Tammy out & out & Armstrongs pace & winger, I wouldn’t buy a winger really we are set their especially if we buy a CF who can cover. A Daka & is teammate Berisha is so good too.
Hložek is special though he can play anywhere lead theine #10 either wing even as #8. If we can get him for £15m that value for present & future.
Like the look Ekwah, tho supposedly he could have attitude issues. We need a left footed mid imo we miss having one & he can play CB & LB plus pace which we need. Him Alese & Baptiste can play for Oggys spot too bc Diop can play LCB made the switch when he came here but we have a lack of left footers.
Hopefully Moyes gets backed but I don’t like the idea of him picking his on DOF! That’s what we did with Pellegrini tho I think Husillos did better then he gets credit bc Roberto but Fornals & Balbuena where all him not Pellegrini & both have done very well. I’d of liked to kept Balbuena imo besides Rice he was out best passing CB but was well rounded did a job & on low wages for PL.
I’m fine with Moyes approving DOF but it shouldn’t be someone who goes when he does which would happen with some. Want your DOF to have those connections the manager doesn’t, someone like Campos be amazing, who know other markets, agents etc.
I still think we will get in CM even if Kral doesn’t come off, I wouldn’t be against Mowatt who has been immense for Barnsley all action mid lovely left peg 7 goals 8 assists would add more technical mid but still does the work on a ‘free’. Our squad is thing without Europa we really need 5-6 players imo & we will lose probably Yarmo, Lanzini & Anderson ofc Balbuena who the latter played most & first two had some good parts & needed.
CB but I wouldn’t pay £30m for Taekow I’d rather have Dunk tbh how he doesn’t get called up is mad imo he is the best passing English CB imo with Stones. Through balls like a #10 scores a lot but defends like old school CB & loves LCB in back 4 or mod 3 or RCB. But really think we need someone around 23-26. Two CFs one versatile, CM, LB & if could get a keeper like Woodman I’d love it Id prefer him to Johnstone he is top talent & so well rounded.
Will see but definitely need Analytic boasted up & scouting…. Just copy Brentford! Would love Ankersen as DOF.
Solution? Ban birthdays and lie about players’ ages. Simple. Wee Davey will do what is best for West Ham. COYI