As we enter the early stages of the transfer window and once again hear claims of limited funds, it’s worth reflecting on a past window when, despite financial struggles and modern-day leaks, West Ham managed to complete four surprise signings under the radar.
Back in 2008, the club was on the brink of financial collapse. Their Icelandic owner, Björgólfur Guðmundsson, was officially declared bankrupt in 2009, leaving the Hammers in a precarious position.
A new manager had only recently been appointed in Gianfranco Zola on 11th September 2008, following Alan Curbishley’s departure, when George McCartney and Anton Ferdinand were sold—reportedly against his wishes.
With little cash to spend, West Ham seemed inactive in the market. Yet, on the morning of deadline day, it was announced that Congo international full-back Hérita Ilunga had signed on a season-long loan from French club Toulouse, along with David Di Michele, who arrived on loan from Torino. The Italian striker made over 30 appearances for West Ham, netting four times.
Earlier in the window, West Ham signed Uruguay international Walter López on a free transfer. Diego Tristán joined the Hammers in October, having been without a club, and scored three goals in 14 games.
Remarkably, the club recorded a €52.83m profit from outgoing transfers that window.
Interesting comparisons can be drawn to the 2009 window, when under new ownership, club chairman David Sullivan pursued Graham Dorrans at WBA without Zola’s knowledge and controversially announced that the entire squad—apart from Scott Parker—was up for sale.
With the current “sell to buy” rhetoric being touted, suggesting little transfer activity early on while big clubs move for long-established targets, it’s hopeful that lessons can be learnt from previous windows.
With a place in the Premier League worth well over £100m, the cost of failure in the transfer market could be devastating.
Sullivan learn a lesson nothing has changed in the whole time he’s been in charge bfs tells stories of Sullivan turning up with players like presents who he didn’t ask for in his head he thinks he’s a manager who picks his players and hes still at it getting rid of someone who kretinsky insisted the club needed to go forward, fast forward eighteen months Sullivan engineers steidtens removal and reinstates himself in charge of team transfers and he is gonna have a field day with how big this rebuild is, lessons learned I doubt it
You speak as if you have some inside knowledge?
You also seem to miss some of the positive things & signings Sullivan has been part of.
I’m having a cheeky ton on us to get relegated for the season ahead to soften the blow.
Potter doesn’t seem to have a clue, Sullivan & Brady definitely haven’t and with a worse points record than JLo I reckon we won’t be lucky enough to have 3 teams worse than us.
Not with Betway I hope😂😂😂😂😂
Time for change.
You be cheeky and donate your ‘ton’ to the bookies retirement fund.
I will enjoy West Ham being mid-table and mediocre.