Nuno’s West Ham midfield succession plan takes shape

From the ‘noise’ surrounding the Hammers’ winter window, it seems likely that in addition to seeking out a new striker for the second half of the season, the Irons’ head coach Nuno Espírito Santo is engaging in some long-term succession planning at the same time.

With headlines from the last couple of days linking 22 year old Nigerian Tochukwu Nnadi with a move to east London – such as punchng.com’s :

“West Ham line up €4m swoop for Nigeria’s Nnadi“- it seems clear there is real interest in the young midfielder. Teamtalk.com’s original article has been picked up by the Nigerian web site who report the midfielder :

“Has impressed with his energy, tackling range and relentless pressing.”

The fact that he’s available at a knock down price – €4 million is the very un-Premier League like price tag quoted in the same article-seems to add weight to the story as the Hammers finally look to throw off the shackles of the “Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, Soucek, Alvarez” era.

Those names in Lopetegui or Potter’s line up are still enough to make me shudder.

However it seems that Nuno is likely looking one further ‘stop’ up the line: Come the day of Lucas Paquetá’s departure, West Ham will be well stocked with Potts, Fernandes and Magassa as the trio ready to take over when the Brazilian is sold, but no depth beyond the three to account for illness or injury.

A £3.5 million addition would seem, then, a perfect ‘slow burn’ addition to the squad who might blossom under Nuno into another top talent for the post-Paquetá era, with West Ham most likely still £45 million-plus ahead after saying good bye to Paquetá whether that be mid season, or more likely at the end of 2025-6.

A quartet of 21 and 22 year old midfielders would be exciting indeed- especially with Earthy, Kanté, Fearon and Orford knocking on the door next season. Seems like Nuno’s succession plan is well under way.