How the narrative has changed inside two short weeks in the quiet revolution that appears to be taking place at West Ham towers. David Sullivan’s “we must sell to pay debt” narrative had fans bracing themselves for a 2003-style exodus when seventeen first team players went out of the door following relegation and the West Ham side that took to the pitch in the following August was a mish-mash of loanees, veterans and free signings.
The Kretinsky era has brought the appearance at least of financial security: Time alone will tell if the Czech shareholder’s words are merely a transfer window negotiating ploy or rock solid reality.
Well connected journalist Graham Bailey, writing in team talk.com, appears to have no such doubts over Kretinsky’s stance regarding transfers- with his startling claim:
“Sources have informed us that Kretinsky, now the club’s new de facto owner and driving force behind major decisions at the London Stadium, is keen to preserve the core of the current squad as West Ham look to bounce straight back to the top flight under Nuno Espirito Santo.
As a result, sources understand that Fernandes is the one player Kretinsky is prepared to cash in on this summer.”
If true, the real likelihood of West Ham retaining their star players for a season in the second tier will genuinely excite fans. The prospect of Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville, Taty Castellanos and Dinos Mavropanos ripping it up in a promotion drive will be hugely appealing.
Bowen, in particular, according to Bailey’s words, is keen to stay but only providing the team is not dismantled around him:
“Bowen has made it clear that he does not want to remain at the club simply to watch the rest of the squad dismantled around him.
The 29-year-old is understood to have informed those close to the situation that his willingness to stay is closely linked to West Ham’s ambition and ability to retain the majority of their key players.
That is where Kretinsky’s thinking aligns with Bowen’s”
Which again if true offers a degree of confirmation that the ‘West Ham way forward’ is one of genuine rebuilding from a strong starting point rather than the ‘scorched earth’ destruction promised by Sullivan in order to pay down the debt his regime had accumulated.
Experience, however, tells us it may be early days to start hoping for too much; As lifelong West Ham fans we’ve seen many disappointments over the years that have taught us to watch and wait before hanging up the bunting.
But there are some pretty encouraging, consistent reports all saying the same thing just now, which offer fans ‘hope’- which in itself seemed well nigh impossible just a couple of short weeks ago.
Good advice Martin, I will put the bunting back in the shed for now 😊⚒️⚒️