The West Ham United board have laid the blame for the Hammers’ current predicament at the door of former manager Graham Potter — and in particular, his refusal to sign strikers last summer.
The revelation is nothing new. Claret & Hugh were told the same thing by a top source in July, when it was made clear that the signing of Callum Wilson was a board decision driven by David Sullivan rather than Potter or then head of recruitment Kyle MacAulay
However, a report earlier today from Hammers News, quoting a top Hammers source, has given more detail over precisely who West Ham missed out on in the summer transfer window.
In particular, it is former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has enjoyed something of a renaissance since joining Leeds United.
Calvert-Lewin had been linked with a move to West Ham on numerous occasions before becoming available on a free transfer last summer. However, the former England striker’s poor injury record made his acquisition a significant risk.
It now seems that was not enough to deter the West Ham hierarchy, who, according to Hammers News, attempted to sign him but were advised against it by Potter.
Speaking to the website, the source claimed: “We regret not signing Calvert-Lewin, especially on a free transfer. Mr Potter didn’t want a forward and would not let us sign one. Nuno came in and identified he wanted two and it has helped massively.”
More to the Story?
The claim is perhaps only half true.
At the time, Potter was attempting to secure the signing of Porto striker Samu Omorodion, with a West Ham source telling Claret & Hugh the target was “unrealistic”. Potter also personally called Jonathan David in an attempt to persuade him to join the Hammers — something confirmed to Claret & Hugh by a source close to the player.
Now, let’s get one thing straight. I’m not a fan of Graham Potter, who I believe should never have been given the West Ham job. I think he is a poor coach who carries very little authority.
And hindsight suggests Calvert-Lewin has turned out to be a good signing for Leeds.
But the truth is that Potter was interested in signing a quality striker — just not the list of injury-prone free transfers he was presented with.
Love reading the blogs, but this site always crashes on me !
Generally, takes me three to four goes and then it might post….
Maybe it’s my IPad ?
Oh, good article, Gonzo 👍
Quick, press post comment before crashes again !
Sounds like the truth to me.
Graham Potter could have had any striker he liked. Mbappe, Kane, Salah, Haaland or absolutely anyone he fancied in his team.
The only caveat there would be that he would have to fund this acquisition personally. Think that this arrangement is against the rules. Third party ownership, Kia Jobchurian, Mascherano and Tevez.
So maybe that Potter was simply asking for the stars but lacking in enthusiasm and coaching proficiency to accept the moon.
So pleased that we have responsible owners in love with the club and not just investors attempting to make a profit at all costs. Seen these investors ruin many lives with the walk-away, leaving the debts, everyone owed money and wages, attitude.
So very pleased that West Ham United are in safe hands and the owners are trying their very best to make us better.
COYI
Spot on Gonzo. This has Sullivan written all over it. How many Hammers fans would have been cheering out loud if we signed an injury prone striker who had barely scored in 4 years? For all of Potter’s faults, the players he brought in have been successful to differing degrees. Young, fit and will all increase in transfer value. These qualities are something of a rarity under Sullivan. Yes, we needed a striker but we also needed a completely new midfield and a stronger defence. Potter had little money to play with, so he never had much hope in getting a striker. Nuno has only been able to get Pablo & Taty in because we sold Paqueta.
And getting in any old striker doesn’t often work as well as Calvert-Lewin has worked for Leeds. Wilson has been better than I imagined (IE he has stayed fit) but he isn’t a roaring success. He occasionally gets a goal, which may indeed keep us up, but equally he may take his bonus heavy salary for 20 minutes sub appearance each week and not hit a barn door. He isn’t the player he was.
Sullivan lives in cloud cuckoo land, the sooner he has gone the better.
Didn’t like Potter didn’t want Potter BUT I think the person to blame is Brady she was the one that went all out to hire Her husbands best friend putting family loyalty before the club that she obviously cares nothing about otherwise 1 job on her wages would be sufficient not 3
Typical spin,
No more BS