The challenge – for want of a better word – of having Billionaire Daniel Kretinsky as the biggest shareholder and co-chair of the football club is that a very different style has taken hold of the club’s Modus Operandi. Gone are the leaks, the frequent media stories, the running commentary on players sales and negotiations. For which nobody will shed a tear.
“Radio silence” throughout the negotiations over Mateus Fernandes’ future has been beneficial to the club – sticking firmly to a price and not yielding has produced a fabulous deal for the club – once it was accepted that Fernandes had to leave.
However, the very ‘inscrutability’ of West Ham’s metaphorical ‘poker face‘ when it came to dealings with Spurs and Man U can be something of a disadvantage, when stories appear such as the talkSPORT ‘scare story’ over Jarrod Bowen’s imminent departure to Aston Villa.
Clarity would be welcome over Bowen’s buy-in to the new regime at West Ham United
Season ticket holders have been asked to take a leap of faith and renew – which they’ve done in their tens of thousands – and they deserve clarity over Bowen’s future at least, even if other players’ futures are as yet undecided.
The longer the silence, the more the unease will grow that there might be something in the suggestion that West Ham’s talismanic skipper might be on his way out.
So some clarity from the board room, or confirmation that Bowen has decided upon his future is crucial at this juncture in the fledgling ‘new era’. Either way, supporters spending their cash on season tickets deserve to know the state of play, with pre-season training starting on Monday.
We’d all like to put the rumours to bed and look forward to next season knowing for sure that Bowen is staying put. Or not.
We’re grown up’s, we can take it. Just let us know.
So Martin, you want a little bit of leaking? Can’t have it both ways. And there’s nothing definitive in this world. If somebody offers us silly money for Bowen, of course we are going to sell.
Upset that information leaked to ‘ITKs’. Upset that the club goes silent. Upset with the financial condition of the club. Upset that dealing with the financial issues means considering selling our best players. Perhaps we need to stop being upset and just let those now in charge try to sort the problems out?
In fairness, nobody ‘deserves’ to know anything that is still being privately discussed and/or negotiated – spending £300-£1000 a year for 25 or so games doesn’t give people the right to inside information about ongoing player negotiations or ongoing share/investment discussions. I am sure the club are keen to share news, but we will have to respect individuals privacy and we will find out in the fullness of time.
This is how proper clubs are run. Personally, I prefer the lack of Chinese whispers being passed from Da Wei Sulli Wan to Shan Wei Son.
I guess the sale of Fernandes on June 30th has allayed some of our PSR fears, but I can’t help thinking there is a party partialy responsible for the fall of our club that has escaped Scot free. Remember 3 years ago, we had a new trophy, a good manager and a highly motivated and talented team. Our star player Paqueta played a crucial part in us winning a trophy then suddenly he is hit by an FA charge that was not only unproven, but took two years to decide it had no evidence. In that time we lost not only a top midfielder but also a large transfer fee from Man City. That £85m could have taken us to the top six again, but there was no consequences for the FA.
Impossible ask- if someone comes in and says- OK, $80m for Bowen – we will accept it, big wages, contract well beyond when he is likely to play every week- Same for all of them. Doesn’t mean we won’t invest and have a good team but banking $250M plus (Summerville, Fernandez, Bowen, Pablo, and a few others)- creates a true fresh start with no debt- lower wages and $150M gets a lot in the Championship. Get promoted and we can invest again- very few players peak and keep peaking year after year look at others models- buy cheap- show worth, sell make massive profit, rinse repeat.
I can’t believe that bowen would go to a club that played a big part in getting us relegated by putting out half a team against the spuds.
£50m cash for a player approaching 30 and who was a yard down on pace throughout the second half of the season has to be given due consideration. Last chance to bank a huge fee and to reinvest.
This is not just about cash.
You hear about disruption and unrest in dressing room.
Bowen (as Soucek) bring loyalty and leadership something that’s grown over a period of time.
Dawson. Cresswell, Coufal all gone their personality not easily replaced.
Whu this year are going to need team connection and Bowen (plus others) hopefully will remain.
Don’t need numerous speculation media stories appertaining to certain players just on the line truths.