Monday, January 1

What do West Ham need from the window?

So the transfer window is upon us and Moyes is rumoured to have a budget of £20 million. One thing the Hammers need is another creative midfielder to take the pressure off Manuel Lanzini. An intriguing name mentioned is Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey, who has a suspect temperament but at his best can score long-range goals and play penetrating through balls. He's also a Harold Hill lad so might fancy a return home. A bit of power in central midfield from the likes of Watford’s Doucoure (though he'd take some prising away) would be useful. Bournemouth's Harry Arter is also a name that keeps coming up and he's an underrated player who might do a job for WHU. 

The squad is also struggling with ageing and injured centre-backs and Swansea's Alfie Mawson might be a promising signing. Could the enigmatic Andre Ayew be used as bait? Sunderland's Lamina Kone would be a gamble. He looked a great defender for Sunderland under Allardyce but then seemed to sulk for most of last season under Moyes when denied a move. 

With Byram out another right back to cover for Zabaleta might be a target. It's possible Moyes will opt for a striker too. Ex-Chelsea star Andre Schurrle has been mentioned, a World Cup winner who has scored in a World Cup Semi-Final. A big name, but he might not be the out and out goalscorer we need. Danny Ings looked a good prospect at Burnley, but after his long-term injury at Liverpool might not instantly adjust to regular football.

The other thing we need to do is unload clearly unhappy players like Diafra Sakho, who must be affecting squad morale. With a good window West Ham should be capable of getting up to mid-table in a congested bottom half. Though a bad window will mean a relegation struggle.

5 comments:

matt said...

I think you'll find that Schurrle assisted Germany's goal in the World Cup Final (Gotze scored) so if he signs Geoff Hurst will remain the only player to gave played for West Ham and scored in a World Cup Final. Unless Alex Bunbury did? I will be most unhappy if we sell Reece Oxford to fund the signing of a slow, injury prone journeyman.

matt said...

And Martin Peters, obviously.

Pete May said...

You're right Statto! It was the 7-1 semi-final against Brazil Schurrle scored in...

Pete May said...

Lates news seems to be that we are keeping Oxford and hoping to turn him into a slow journeyman...

matt said...

Even latest news - Reece Oxford is already crocked. Even for a club with such a godawful injury record, that is some going