The 2024-2025 Premier League is coming to an end. This year the Hammers have experienced a range of ups and downs. As the transfer window becomes closer, many fans will be watching to see how West Ham is going to make improvements to the team. So let’s take a look at what needs to be done this summer.
The transfer window is a very important time for all teams. This is a club’s time to consider the challenges they faced this season, and make changes that will strengthen them. This includes aspects such as defensive reinforcements, attacking options, managerial decisions, and pre-season preparations.
West Ham’s current season
West Ham is currently 16th in the Premier League table. This season has seen some great performances, however they have struggled to stay consistent. They have experienced 9 wins, 7 draws and 13 losses, accumulating 34 points over 29 matches. During this season they have struggled with defensive issues, as well as a lack of a reliable striker. The summer transfer window will be an important time for the team to fix these issues for the upcoming season.
Looking at their upcoming fixtures, West Ham’s chances of reaching European competition next season are slim. Their next fixture is on the 2nd of April, when They will face Wolverhampton. Early predictions and odds suggest a victory for Wolverhampton (West Ham 3.22 and Wolverhampton 2.40). However, many West Ham fans are hopeful, especially considering their performance the last time they faced Wolverhampton.
West Ham are also set to go up against Bournemouth on the 5th of April. Again, the odds aren’t in West Ham’s favour with odds of 3.26 for West Ham and 2.26 for Bournemouth. However, it’s important to note that these odds could change, especially if West Ham are successful against Wolverhampton. Make sure to use only tested and verified bookmakers to ensure safe and secure betting. With only a few games left, West Ham must now make smart decisions in the summer window. This includes player acquisitions and tactical adjustments, which will help boost their chances for next season.
Managerial stability
January 2025 saw Graham Potter take over as head coach after Julen Lopetegui left. A departure during the season is never ideal and can cause a lack of stability for the team. Potter’s first match as manager saw a defeat to Aston Villa. However, the team were able to bring it back shortly after with a victory over Fulham.
The summer will be an essential time for Potter and his managerial team. Since taking on the role of manager in January, he’s had his time to settle with the club. But now it’s time to focus on addressing both the squad’s defensive and attacking issues. However, Potter also needs to think beyond just next season. West Ham should also focus on signing potential younger players too. Ones that can make an impact in the long term.
Areas needing improvement
There are a number of areas that West Ham United need to improve in the upcoming season. They need to focus on areas such as:
Striker
West Ham continues to have strong attacking players like Jarrod Bowen. However, there are still concerns surrounding strikers. Especially with Antonio suffering from an injury after a car accident and Niclas Füllkrug not meeting expectations. One of West Ham’s biggest struggles this season was a lack of consistent goal-scoring.
They need a reliable striker. West Ham signed Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton in February. However, it’s unlikely that West Ham will agree to a permanent deal for the striker. There have been a lot of rumours circulating names like Jonathan David, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hugo Ekitike. However, there’s a lot of competition surrounding Hugo Ekitike, with Liverpool and Arsenal both also looking to sign the French striker too.
Central defender
West Ham’s defence has also been a concern. The team have conceded a worrying amount of goals this season. There are rumours that Mavropanos is expected to leave after an inconsistent and unreliable performance, even though he’s been contracted to West Ham until 2028. This will make space for a new signing and space for a defender on the team. Koni De Winter has emerged as an option, with West Ham being rumoured to be very interested in the player. De Winter is known to be an extremely versatile player and, therefore a great choice for a central defender. This is an incredibly important move for West Ham as the right balance in defence could end up making a huge difference to next season.
Midfield playmaker
This position is essential for supporting both defence and attack. Potter very quickly highlighted that midfield was an area to improve shortly after becoming head coach in January. It’s common knowledge that West Ham are trying to sign England midfielder Angel Gomes on a free transfer from Lille.
In summary, the summer will be crucial for West Ham United and will have a huge impact on their success in the 2025/26 Premier League season. The club needs to focus on strengthening the areas where it struggled this previous season. The upcoming pre-season tour in the United States will offer a great opportunity for the squad to play together and strengthen in a more laid-back and friendly environment ahead of the new season.
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