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.
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.
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