The Reality Of West Ham’s ‘Recruitment Reset’

Considering the upheaval pending in the next few months – probably – at London Stadium, there is still a lot of talk about bringing in new players in January. To me, most of this is just gossip to fill columns as most ‘elite level’ players are either out of our reach financially or fail the other ‘litmus test’ which needs applying to any ‘recruit to West Ham’ story that comes across my screen.

So when I read again this morning that Christian Pulisic is ‘linked’ with a move back to the Premier League (eplindex.com : Report: West Ham Eye Star in Shock Premier League Return ) I fail to get too excited as the suggestion ignores the critical factor of the lure Champions League football.

As a player, the pinnacle of their domestic career is competing in one of the flagship European trophies and of course West Ham have nothing to offer on that front: Pulisic is enjoying a resurgence in form in the Champions League for AC Milan and I can think of no situation where the player or his agent would countenance leaving that behind for a move to strife-torn West Ham just now.

So, another story to put into the circular file. The shift of focus which was suggested (earlier in the week here) is much more likely to bear fruit and more sustainable financially: The Hammers are reportedly scouting and planning to go shopping for the best that The Championship has to offer. This reality will likely dictate the credibility of other stories coming out of the media in the next few weeks as the transfer window nears and the Lopetegui situation develops.

The idea of further ‘marquee’ internationally- sourced signings, however welcome they are to read, seems more remote when viewed through the prisms of West Ham’s PSR situation and the need to avoid a repeat of the Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme purchases: Any player who does come in will need to add strength to the squad immediately. Quite literally any new recruit will need to hit the ground running!