Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has doubled down on a claim suggesting West Ham have ‘given up’ on a possible top-four finish.
The ex-Aston Villa man made the statement on talkSPORT earlier this week in the wake of the Hammers failing to strengthen their ranks during the January transfer window.
👀 “#WHUFC have given up on top four. It was the perfect chance to get #UCL.”
🔥 “How long will Rice be happy with Europa League? He’ll go in the summer!”@Ga11Agbon believes West Ham have ‘given up’ top four & thinks Declan Rice will leave… pic.twitter.com/ZySdCgqBgf
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) February 2, 2022
Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor went into further detail on the claim and the required business.
I’m baffled. I thought in November they had to sign a striker in January, they needed more help in there. They also needed more backup for Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice as well as a centre-half, obviously. To be honest it shows West Ham’s aspirations. They obviously don’t want to get top-four because if they wanted to get top-four they would have brought in players. Maybe the club are happy with a top-six, top-seven finish but even that is not guaranteed. There are a lot of teams fighting for positions. I’m just baffled West Ham haven’t brought in anybody. Antonio is not far off a hamstring injury at times then you’re going to be left with Vlasic who, for me, is not amazing.
The 35-year-old went on to say it was a ‘very strange’ January window from the Irons.
Centre-forward Michail Antonio has been away during the break and has certainly put those hamstrings to test with three games in one week for Jamaica.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
On this occasion, it would appear Agbonlahor is preaching to a choir of West Ham fans everywhere – including Tony Cottee.
Whilst the majority will back this current crop and David Moyes to the hilt, there is certainly a growing sense of an opportunity missed this term.
Albeit far from over – there are still three competitions to fight for – a lack of strength in depth in certain areas could well come back to bite the Hammers down the line.
