Can West Ham attract top stars again?
As West Ham United fans look to the future, one burning question is whether the Hammers can attract star players. After the club’s seventh place finish last season, this term has been something of a letdown. Patchy form and the departure of Dimitri Payet has understandably left many supporters wondering if the club will be able to attract top players in order to kick on come the summer.
Payet supposedly left because of a desire to move back to France, but he has suggested it was down to a negative style of football and the team’s poor form. Whatever the reasons for his departure, the fact he left makes you wonder how attractive West Ham are from a player’s perspective.
There are questions over the future of boss Slaven Bilić; 12 months ago no one would have questioned his abilities, but some poor performances this season have raised eyebrows. However, Bilić has a year left on his contract and the West Ham board should let him see it through. They should also give him full responsibility for signings.
As well as the need to bring in big names, the squad need strengthening throughout. Injuries to Winston Reid, Pedro Obiang and Michail Antonio in the recent 3-2 home defeat to Leicester City brought home the need for quality in depth, with the now-sidelined players among the strongest performers for the Hammers this campaign.
West Ham supporters are no different to those of any other club in comparing those currently donning the claret and blue to those who have done so with distinction in the past. Two of the biggest names to do so in relatively recent years were Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, signed in 2006.
While the Argentine duo undoubtedly went on to become top class players, they were yet to reach their peak and had not yet adapted to English or even European football when West Ham signed them. That is not to take away from what a coup signing Tevez and Mascherano was – the former’s goals helped save the Hammers from relegation in 2007, perhaps highlighting the benefit for clubs such as West Ham of signing players who have the potential to become top class.
The 888sport top ten football players in the world shows that the likes West Ham are facing some of the top names in football, even if they can’t sign them. However, the finances available to Premier League clubs mean they’re better equipped than many other European sides to attract talent, as demonstrated when the Hammers broke their own transfer record last summer, signing forward André Ayew from Swansea City for £20.5million.
With the close season approaching, speculation is mounting as to who will move where over the summer. Hammers fans will be waiting with bated breath to see which big names, if any, make the move to London Stadium.