When stories appear suggesting the Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez are on the way out of the door at London Stadium this summer, the hope is that there will be an intimate benefit to the club for saying goodbye to seasoned and in Soucek’s case anyway – popular servants of the club. Along with Soler and Guido Rodriguez’ departure, the Hammers will have serious holes to fill both in terms of skills but experience too.
The upside of this ‘scorched earth’ policy will be weighed during the summer transfer window and seeing who takes the pitch come August. The signs are encouraging with The Hammers being linked with some high profile midfielders (Mario Stroeykens of Anderlect in the last couple of days, for example) along with one or two less well known but nonetheless high calibre young talented players. One who fits into that category would certainly be 20 year-old Mateus Fernandes, Southampton’s newly relegated midfield talent.
Not the finished article by any means – hence an attainable £25 million price tag – but very highly thought-of at Southampton as reported in londonworld.com. I’m always conflicted at the prospect of pulling players away from relegated clubs – after all they did fail, didn’t they – but some of the best up and coming talent can be poached this way.
“The 20-year-old has made 35 appearances for the Saints this season, scoring two goals and provided three assists in a miserable campaign for the club… ” as the report sets out. Former Saints defender Jo Tessem is convinced:
“Mateus Fernandes is on people’s radar because every week he plays his heart out, he is by far the best player on the football pitch from a Saints perspective.”
Damning with faint praise, I believe that is called. However, Fernandez was voted fans’ player of the Season at St Mary’s.
As an up and coming prospect to grow into a Premier League midfield, Fernandez has a lot to offer. Filling the ‘experience’ hole left by the departure of more seasoned pro’s will be another matter for Potter to deal with.
If the young midfielders currently out on loan etc are to be given a chance next season, we do not need more young players, we need a couple of experienced players.
Another JWP?
So how many Southampton players are we interested in…4 or 5. 🤡🤡🤡
selling all the experience whilst trying to buy “unfinished” players Is not a great look for Potter and HIS consortium
The sooner he is gone or we get took over the better
The new owners might have enough money for a better manager than Potter ever will be
Had my eye on him throughout the season he’s a quality player and can only get better t
Only headlines, or a fake report.
West Ham linked to new Wonder Kid HEADLINES, OR EGGPERT ON SKY SAYS, WEST HAM MUST BUY ………….
At least the word ‘wonderkid’ was refrained from being used.
Unfortunately he does fall into the category of ‘raw talent’ with potential.
This seems to be a reoccurrence for the basis of the new look for next year.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that some new recruits need to be established players.
This might go against the grain due to funds but it’s going to be a necessity.
Out with the old and in with the young is great policy but needs to be looked at astutely.
Potter is only going to get one bite at the cherry. Which positions is he going to prioritise?