West Ham Transfer Priorities Clear as Day as Youthful Midfield Impress

It has now become clear that West Ham’s poor start to the season — and the deficiencies of former boss Graham Potter — masked the fact that the Hammers’ midfield was fixed in the summer.

The recall of Freddie Potts, alongside the signings of Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa, has finally provided the legs and quality the team was crying out for. Add in Mohamadou Kanté, Preston Fearon and Lewis Orford emerging through the ranks, and West Ham suddenly boast a young midfield with frightening potential.

Nuno Espírito Santo may still want a centre-back in January, but the manager has already improved Dinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo. There is little doubt West Ham have become more solid defensively — both from open play and, crucially, at set pieces — as well as more functional in midfield.

Attack Exposed as West Ham’s Weakest Department

Which brings us to the attack. Tomáš Souček starting on the right wing yesterday said everything about the squad’s lack of depth. Like Souček, Callum Wilson worked hard but lacked the pace and physicality to seriously trouble Manchester United’s makeshift defence.

The facts are these:
– Luis Guilherme still looks likely to be moved on in January
– Jarrod Bowen is running on empty
– Crysencio Summerville is proving injury-prone
West Ham desperately need another winger — potentially two if Guilherme leaves — as well as a striker.

The need for wide players is magnified by the lack of attacking options in the academy. Much like the first team, the development squad has emerging talent in defence and midfield, but nobody currently ready to step up to Premier League level on the flanks or up front.

Espírito Santo is doing an admirable job keeping West Ham in touch — but now the pressure shifts to the board. They must deliver attackers in the January transfer window, and they must do it fast.