Nils Koppen, West Ham’s Director of Player Recruitment, has arrived in the nick of time. The Hammers have a whole five weeks to get their house in order before the Championship proper kicks one on 16th August: However, unlike opponents Burnley, the Irons do at least have a manager in place.
But the ‘player exodus’ still has to be managed and, according to West Ham expert journo Roshane Thomas, writing in the NYTimes today, there are a total of at least eight more departures to be arranged, negotiated and then of course the small matter replacements sourced.
According to Thomas, Koppen has a pretty huge ‘todo list’ with his work cut out this summer:
“The first will be to find replacements for midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who joined London rivals Tottenham Hotspur a week ago for £85million ($113.9m at the current rate), and winger Crysencio Summerville, who is expected to be the next high-profile departure following last season’s relegation to the Championship, amid interest from Manchester United.
Pablo – Nuno had been reported as telling him he could leave
In Koppen’s first interview with West Ham’s in-house media, he expressed a desire “to keep the core squad intact”. But an upheaval is expected as further potential exits from the squad include Fullkrug, Todibo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Maxwel Cornet, Edson Alvarez, Alphonse Areola and James Ward-Prowse.“
This of course is on top of the completed departures of Callum Wilson and Axel Disasi. That’d make a total of eleven: A full team to be replaced inside five weeks. Yikes.
Slightly concerning that the name missing from that list is forward Pablo Felipe
Nuno was reported as wanting to sell the Brazilian after his poor return in seventeen starts last season: Full marks for effort but zero for results with just the one assist.
Perhaps there’s been a rethink in Nuno’s camp this summer? Maybe there’s something the coaching team feel they can do to unlock the bearded one’s talents and save a huge loss on the €20 million plus fee that West Ham paid for the striker’s services in January.
A full reserve team. AWB played like a wannabe reserve. None of the others will be a loss and a good chance to get rid of some dross.
Same for Pablo.
Get a real scorer in, use the youth and some astute hungry players
The team worked well with him high up the pitch working hard. It’s as simple as that. Just because he didn’t score or whatever that doesn’t make him poor.
Perhaps with that high intensity that he has he would make an excellent central midfielder to replace the ageing Soucek one day. I really wouldn’t want to ditch him. He’s still very young and new to English football.
Anyone thinking he was s dud needs to compare him to the complete failures in that list. The sicknotes and money grabbers that have nothing back to the club.
If we get rid of that list of deadwood anyone’s going to be concerned that Pablo is still at the club? Personally I think he may be useful in the Championship.
There are many things changing at whu but none of them at any great speed.
Fullkrug, Cornet, JWP and Killman have been on the to go list for a long time.
Alvarez, Todibo, Areola and Felipe look to be question marks giving doubts about attitude, wages, lack of goals.
Depending on how backline gets arranged Bissaka for £15m could stay had 4 months to rearrange his thoughts.
Could still be a £50m player lurking in the depths.
There’s still a concern that whu just doesn’t have enough time to coordinate this many changes.
No good rushing to get that many players in then regretting it.
Looks like at least 50% of them won’t be included in pre season.
What about Kilman? Is he part of Nuno’s plans for the Championship challenge?
I bet Harry Kane wasn’t much like Harry Kane and 22 years old. Trevor Brooking wasn’t a lot of good as a young player, the club stuck by him and he was great.
don’t think they’ll all have to be replaced though Martin , 5 out of the 8 names pretty much didn’t play for the team last year , one came back from the afcon with the grumps and didn’t seem to want to play , and one seems to want to have fisticuffs with anyone who runs the team and now doesn’t want to play , there’s obviously a few other signings that found themselves on the periphery of the team in the 2nd half of the season along with some of the youngsters who found their way into the team at times , if the latter don’t get given a chance at championship level then they’re probably never going to get a proper chance in the team ever x
I think Martin you are perhaps being a little harsh and negative towards Pablo, whilst he tried his very best to adapt quickly to the Prem league, he found it hard to as many do, although few goals, he did contribute to the team effort and we played well with him in it. i have no issue with him staying.
Martin is it possible that a season on the Championship may help this youngster develop and become a far better player and to be ready for the Prem next year. Or do you not even consider him fit for the Championship?
i concur
I shall try and keep an open mind, Jeff, and it would be excellent to see the guy succeed. It was Nuno who was reported as telling him he could leave: Like I say,. maybe there’s been a rethink.
Thats good to hear Martin, the glass half full approach is often more rewarding than the glass half empty one!
I truly believe that there is a decent payer in Pablo, and given time to adjust properly we could benefit long term.
So let’s hope you don’t have a reason to be concerned!
Your didn’t answer my question Martin, Do you consider Pablo fit for the Championship?
on last season’s showing.. probably not. But..Maybe he’ll adapt better to life in the second tier and surprise us all..
Agree with the comments so far. If they can get the best out of him in the Championship, then it will have been money well spent.
He was probably not worth the money we paid but he could make a impact in the Championship and add some much needed squad depth. With all the other likely comings and goings, I would not be upset if he stays for this season.
Pablo is no Harry Kane but the team played better with him in it.
He is still only 22 and was adjusting to a new club and a new country. I am more than than happy to see him given an opportunity this season