Claret and Hugh‘s exclusive blogger, top agent Barry Silkman explains the Hammers winter window issues in his latest piece. “Silky” was responsible for bringing Lucas Paqueta into the London Stadium but expects no real quality to be available this time around.
Silky is talking to CandH editor in chief Hughie Southon
West Ham and every other club face the biggest of struggles in the winter market.
Why? Because no club wants to sell any player halfway decent unless they are absolutely on the breadline and facing either half a chance of promotion or more likely relegation. The better off clubs which are fighting to win promotion and/or titles are sure to hold on to theirs until the summer.
Paqueta’s agent Silkman explains Hammers window issues
Paqueta’s agent Silkman explains Hammers window issues
Let’s be frank about this: The winter market is an absolute waste of time and effort for every club in the land. I believe only about three or four permanent deals were done last season with the remainder being loans. Why the transfer system was ever changed from July to the following March, as it was a few years back, I and every manager, would like to know. It has made a total nonsense of things. Nobody can work sensibly in such a situation.
Thankfully, the Hammers no longer need a striker as a priority given the huge success of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus who has been found a position brilliantly by Moyes. He allows the new boy to go wide and central whilst developing right winger Jarrod into a central role.
Good strikers cost a fortune at the best of times and are impossible to find in the winter so thank heavens West Ham have those two with Lucas behind them. The Brazilian boy is one of the best players in the world and finds Mohammed wherever he runs. It’s why the lad has been so successful at the club and needed no time to settle in. He is a top player.
I am a fan of Vladi Coufal but I would love to see the club bring in a younger right back with bags of Premier League experience in the summer . It’s not going to happen in the winter. The club needs back up at central defence and left back where Emerson has done very well but it’s at right back where a really quality operator is required.
I wish I had been able to bring you more positive news as to who might be arriving but the players simply aren’t there for one month in the winter with so much at stake. January truly is a waste of time as a loan window.