They say one doesn’t notice small changes, which would indicate that big alterations are glaringly obvious, but I’m not so certain.
It hadn’t occurred to me until late last night that West Ham could be in the most unusual situation of having all their transfer business wrapped up before the season starts. The pace at which the Hammers have identified and signed players is unprecedented by our club’s standards.
Sure, there are a few such as Kurt Zouma, Maxwel Cornet, and Danny Ings whom the club will attempt to offload, but the important job of buying players is almost done.
By my own reckoning, Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui will be looking to sign three more players to complete the squad. The first, a midfielder, should be announced today in the form of Rodriguez, and the right-back situation is close to being sorted too.
This leaves just central defence to reinforce, and the Hammers have a number of irons in the fire. While the first choice remains Jean-Clair Todibo, there are other secondary targets, and as the club demonstrated with the signing of Niclas Füllkrug, we’re happy to switch and sign within days.
I really do have to pinch myself to fully appreciate this transfer revolution and come to the realisation that any deadline day action is likely to be limited to exits. Julen Lopetegui has demanded his players be available as early as possible, and Tim Steidten has delivered.
However, the biggest barometer of our hurried transfer activity is Luis Guilherme. The Brazilian winger was the first through the door what seems like an age ago, so it’s crazy to think we’re still signing players and the season is still the best part of two weeks away.
Incredible from West Ham—we almost seem efficient and competent.
Gonzo. You say here that right back is close to being sorted. Who please?
I believe Ray Tonka Stewart is our overage right back and he has already reported to Rush Green.
West Ham fans were told to be careful what we wished for by miseries like Shearer, Merson, Allardyce and co.
Well we did wish and we are being rewarded. Two more pieces and the jigsaw will be complete.
The Right back is a big worry and i don’t blame AWB for demanding a severance package from Man Utd as he has not asked to leave but if this drags on much longer i hope we have other targets in mind as clearly our defence still needs major reinforcements
Agreed. I can see us going back to Southampton and paying the asking price for Walker Peters
I agree. Every dealing with MU is painful.
Now we have signed Rodriguez could we see Alvarez play as a centre back.
Don’t write off Vladimir Coufal his biggest asset is his ability to cross a ball accurately and now we have a CF that attacks space expect a lot of assists this season as they are sure to link up well. Wan-Bissaka my be better defensively but his final ball is not on a par with Vlad so can’t wait for the first team sheet for the opener, hour’s of fun trying to select the first eleven. I think I’m getting more than I wished for!
At this rate we won’t have to write Coufal off, because he will be our only option at right back!
From a very happy supporter of some 7 decades this is the most exciting preseason ever. For the first i even praise Sully for appointing Steidten who had to endure a year of Moyes agro. I think that Moyes undid an awful lot of the good he had done since rejoining WH during the last year. If only he had left immediately after the Euro final. Hoping for a good future but we must given them time to settle in and learn Jalo system.