By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
ExWHUEmployee has reported that West Ham have bids in for several midfielders in what appears to be something of a priority position.
All I can say is, that is exactly the right move.
It Looks Strong… But Is It?
On the face of it, the Hammers appear to be well stocked in midfield.
Personally, I’m expecting a good season from Songu Magassa and Mohamadou Kanté.
Tomas Soucek is injured but will return.
Freddie Potts captained the side during the second half against Southend yesterday. Lewis Orford also featured in the game, as did James Ward-Prowse.
That said, there was certainly an experimental feel to the way players were deployed, and I still think West Ham are crying out for some creativity in the centre of the pitch.
Creativity Is The Missing Ingredient
Lucas Paquetá’s ungraceful departure from West Ham, together with Mateus Fernandes’ excellent form last season, possibly masked the fact that Nuno Espírito Santo is sorely missing creativity in central areas.
It’s something that was key to his success with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.
As we saw with Keiber Lamadrid being shoehorned into a central position yesterday, it’s clearly something the Hammers boss is very aware of.
Therefore, it was excellent to hear from Ex that midfield is a huge priority, and so it should be.
I would still expect James Ward-Prowse to be sold, while Potts and Orford could both head out on loan.
And whilst Lamadrid played centrally yesterday, I wouldn’t expect him to continue there in the long term.
It Needs Sorting Quickly
West Ham need creativity, and they need it desperately.
Of course, yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Southend was nothing more than a fitness exercise, and nothing should be read into it in terms of individual performances.
However, it does give an indication of the squad’s depth and where the holes still need filling.
For that reason, bringing in a creative midfielder has to be one of the club’s biggest priorities.
And it needs to happen quickly.
Potts_when he was first recruited into squad it was suggested that he was good enough to take Rice’s place.
Championship now must give him a chance to qualify his position.
May have a number of mid field candidates but how many can fill Rice/Paqueta/Fernandez creativity?
This also applies to goalkeeper/defence/left wing and striker roles.
5:positions which all need strengthening.
With amount of games to be played good rotation needs to be considered from bench (injury/red cards).
We need several players in some young and some older with experience.
Have to be careful that if we are serious about promotion we go up with a nucleus of players capable of playing at Prem’ level. Otherwise straight back down….
Championship is unforgiving, and I think at the moment we have a squad who could get bullied and unfortunately, some players are barely Championship level.
what would be the point of loaning out Potts? hes 22 and if he is judged not good enough to play for west ham in the championship , he may as well be sold.
He was certainly good enough in the Championship for Portsmouth… I like him, think it would be a mistake to let him go…
Agree, thought he was good (not great) last season, but the club have to stop casting off young talent for panic buys. Not saying Potts is Rice 2.0, but I highly doubt he’ll be loaned out as Gonzo wrote.