Picking up quality additions in the January market is notoriously difficult as clubs tend to play ‘cat and mouse’ without wishing to let their players leave mid – term. West Ham have a slow, stodgy, porous midfield and, however it is arranged, it’s still as leaky as a farmers field.
However dressed up, the options at the heart of the team fall woefully short of Premier League standard. The ‘midfield that cannot run’ in question consists of Guido Rodriguez, Tomas Soucek, Edson Alvarez, an out of form Lucas Paquetá and the one possible bright light Carlos Soler.
Urgent surgery required.
Reports of midfielders on the radar come in thick and fast now that the Hammers are revitalised under Graham Potter.
Of course, links to players at former clubs Chelsea and Brighton are prevalent: The most plausible reports – for example,Football 365 – concern midfielders Carney Chukwuemeka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (main pic) both of whom are languishing well away from the first team at Stamford Bridge. Whilst these loan signings for the remainder of the season would have seemed highly implausible under Lopetegui’s fractured regime, now the chance to work under Potter at an improving West Ham and to become the attacking duo in a box midfield would appeal to both these young, ambitious players keen to re-establish their game time.
The same report covers West Ham agreeing a loan deal for Brighton’s Evan Ferguson for the season: As much wishful thinking as potentially actually happening – (Brighton have already told West Ham to wait until the last day of the window for a decision) – this would be the icing on the cake should West Ham fix their deficiencies with a trio of loans in one window.
There is easily enough potential in the squad to achieve a top-half finish by revitalising the midfield alone, allowing Rodriguez and Alvarez to depart, whilst deferring a decision on Paquetá until the hearing in March which will decree his own future anyway.
Those two additions, plus a simple recall for James Ward Prowse, would transform West Ham’s season for zero cash outlay. Credible? Certainly.
We’ll watch for more news on the Chelsea duo whilst the club work on solving the striker shortage at the same time. Much as we’d all like it to be Evan Ferguson, Brighton do seem likely to hang on to their highly-rated youngster if they can, pending the return to fitness of their first choice Danny Welbeck.
“Those two additions, plus a simple recall for James Ward Prowse, would transform West Ham’s season for zero cash outlay. Credible? Certainly.”
Certainly NOT credible as you can only loan one player from a single club. While JWP could be handy for set pieces (and even open play, to be fair to him) chances created, the main issue is the defence still. If we were to recall a player, it should be Freddie Potts.
He’d offer solid protection in front of the defence and would be a lot more beneficial for the side. Especially considering his loan at Portsmouth has seen him getting regular minutes whereas JWP would need a period of time before being sharp again. The fact Potter immediately gave Scarles a chance shows he’d likely give Potts a chance and I’d say even ahead of the two Chelsea players, he’d be the best shout.
Then either Chukwuemeka or (not and) Dewsbury-Hall alongside him. That’d be a better option than the one presented there.
What is the attraction with Evan Ferguson? Looking at his current performance, which is not good, is he really worth mentioning?
If they’re good enough, then why not buy one Chelsea player and loan one other?
It is not just the midfield who are slow. Every time we play a high line a through ball undoes us. Watching Issa Diop run down a striker was a good reminder that speed and defense are not mutually exclusive. He then passes to the wrong team, but a separate issue. See also Martinez for ManU.
Have written off this season and sit in the ABMC camp.
Only 2 domestic loans are permitted and they have to be from different clubs.
This rule means it is not possible to sign all 3 players on loan and not permitted to sign 2 players on loan from Chelsea.
If Potter wants Chilwell on loan from Chelsea as reported, that means we can’t loan EITHER of the Chelsea midfielders.
Dewsbury-Hall makes more sense to strengthen our ageing and slow midfield.
Chilwell is always out injured and on £200k p/w. Hoping we swerve problem players at other clubs like Chilwell and Rashford.
I would prefer Chuk out of the 3, but it’s up to Potter eh.
How are you describing us as rejuvenated and revitalised when he hasn’t even managed one game?
yes, I am saying ‘rejuvenated’. take a look at the training video and judge for yourself compared with October / November.,
You’re in Dreamland Martin – but, hey, why not!
Like our dreams… 😜
one minute I’m getting castigated for being negative and the next in dreamland with my uber positivity. haha why not, indeed..
Ferguson wait to the last day of the transfer window…..jog on! If you want us to wait until then….you pay us to take him!!
We have a manager we can get behind with a recharged team. COYI
What about calling back Potts who has apparently been in great form for Portsmouth.
If it doesn’t work he can go back on loan. Before someone says he is one for the future, he is 21. The future is now
Soler and Rodriguez need replacing with younger, more hungry midfielders. Rodriguez too slow and Soler cannot tackle and his career record is very short or goals. We also need a centre back and most of all a tall, quick goalscoring striker. We cannot break the bank so loan arrangements and scouting around lower divisions are needed. Ward Prowse a temporary squad player, he works hard but is very out of form at the moment.
yes I support your idea, let the youth breathe bring potts back and give him a chance
We can’t have both the Chelsea players as your only allowed 1 loan player from a single Premier League club .
YES all makes sense , fingers crossed ⚒