Despite the criticism surrounding some of West Ham’s past signings—names like Guido Rodríguez, Max Kilman, and Niclas Füllkrug—there are three arrivals who have integrated well and, somewhat begrudgingly, can be considered genuine “Sulli Specials.”
Kyle Walker-Peters came in on a free transfer, a player Graham Potter hadn’t initially targeted. When a proposed move to Beşiktaş collapsed, West Ham seized the opportunity. Though not a guaranteed starter, he has proven versatile, covering both flanks and even adapting effectively on the wing.
Callum Wilson was met with scepticism from supporters, myself included. Yet he has silenced many doubters, registering four goals and one assist in just 603 minutes of football. The contract negotiated by the Co-Chairman looks a rare win-win, benefiting both player and club, and so far has paid off handsomely.
Crysencio Summerville was arguably less of a gamble. The Dutch winger had already impressed at Leeds with 25 goals and 13 assists. Still, not every Championship star thrives in the Premier League. Injuries aside, Summerville has brought pace and flair, though his decision-making in the final third still needs refinement. At just 24, he has ample time to develop further.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan now uses Max Hahn to recommend players
I buy the best players
Back in 2020, David Sullivan admitted regret over certain signings, remarking: “I regret in a way not stopping some of the signings. Yet you have to back the manager.” His transfer dealings have long divided fans and journalists, with lowball bids and agent-driven recommendations becoming hallmarks of his approach. Yet earlier this year, insiders told Hammers News that Sullivan believes he has personally secured better players than either of the Directors of Football he previously employed, a belief that has also been articulated to C&H over time.
Today, the club operates with a more structured transfer strategy, with Max Hahn reporting directly to Sullivan. Whether the success of these three “Sulli Specials” was down to shrewd judgement or sheer fortune is debatable, but for West Ham supporters, the only thing that truly matters is that the right players are being brought in.
If Sullivan was a real west ham united fan he would’ve, said to Declan you are going to be my captain and talisman for the next ten years and
we are going to build a team around you! But surprise surprise he took the money! This isn’t an isolated occurrence he should’ve done the same with payet as well
Sullivan and Brady just take money out of the football cub! They don’t care at all if we win lose or draw,as long as they get paid they are happy for west ham to stay mid table at best! WEST HAM UNITED should a top six club based on attendances.But we are falling way behind the top Six because our management and board are inept and make poor decisions! It’s such a shame as those fans deserve better they are being taken advantage off !!! NO MORE BS !!!
As long as we assess players and their stats including going to watch them:perform live on several occasions! Then we can be assured that these players have the attributes to perform in the premier league!
David Sullivan has been up at the sharp end a lot longer than most of his employees. Certainly has more experience than any other fans.
David’s pick – David pays. Nuno’s pick – David pays. Lopetegui’s pick – David paid. And the list goes on.
1 guarantee if Sullivan interferes with bringing in players Nuno will pack his bags and go End result relegation Message to the rest of the board You have been warned
KWP was a good signing and I don’t think many fans argued with it at the time. He is second choice though.
CW – the issue was more around yet another cheap buy when we needed a quality first team player. To be fair, Wilson has proved more effective than I thought he would be given his last season at Newcastle but that said he is only effective for 45 minutes (atm anyway). Good negotiations by Sully on the contract.
CS – I suspect I will get a few that disagree with me here. I think the jury is still out simply based on goals and assists, or rather the lack of them. Yes, his pace is missed when he’s injured, he gets defenders having to pay a bit more attention to him but, as yet, I don’t think there are too many goals that have directly resulted from his actions. I truly hope he can add this to his game and I will doff my hat to Sullivan. At the moment, we would be unlikely to get more than the £25m we paid for him, despite the annual inflation the EPL ‘enjoys’,
So, personally I don’t see this as justification of Sullivan being DoF. A reserve full back, an impact striker (albeit a cheap one) when we need so much more and a winger who has yet to really make his mark (but getting better). Pretty average and he feels they are his better signings from what I can make out from this article.
“I regret in a way” , just what the heck does that mean? You either regret something or not! He seems to be making no sense, once again! No conviction, no honesty, just contempt for us mere mortals, such a shame
West Ham have such a person of little intellect and value as its figurehead.
Sullivan got top money for Rice and I still think selling Kudos wasn’t wrong .. ( the transfer market rightly or wrongly often finds a players current value regardless of some of the nonsense values brandished about )
He’s certainly guilty of employing 2 poor managers before Numo . But he certainly backed Lopitago in the transfer market, though most of the players bought in were poor .
He also backed Moyes in bringing in wardprowse and Alvarez . . ( both very poor signings too )
I’ve said it before and regardless of who owns the club , who’s director of football , it’s all down to getting the right manager in .
Please can this bloke just sell-up and leave the club. He’s a chancer, two bob, and embarrassing (especially his business background).
We can do so much better than him. We’re far too big a club for someone as incompetent, egotistical, and narcissistic as him to run.
Cardiff, his boyhood club, is his true level. Although even that’s a major doubt, to be honest.
After all, he only got into football when he acquired Birmingham on the cheap as they were close to folding.
Oh well. lets face it if Sullivan’s taking over the tranfer’s. Championship, here we come.
Cheers Paul.
I cant help but be blive that its more to do with getting lucky than good judgement sullivan dosent have a clue about how to bring in the right players he just goes for the cheapest option and would sell our best players for a quick profit maybe just maybe he has been shocked into changing the way recuritment is done by the show of strenth from us fans but i doubt it he likes to play mind games and as we all know he lies to the manager players and fans i honestly belive the sooner new owners come in the better it will be gor our great club
Mmmm, buy enough and you’ll get some right I guess, Sully is very good at picking out anything positive, very silent on the rest. Maybe he’d be less keen to take responsibility for the 50 odd failed strikers signed under his watch…