After an emotional season both on the field and off the field, it’s now time to look forward and get settled as quickly as possible in our new home, but we have the tiny matter of a European Championship in France this summer.
This is the type of competition where we see potential summer transfers happening, after seeing a player perform well in the space of three weeks. But do West Ham fall in the trap and buy the next Andrei Arshavin?!
I hate to break the bad news but West Ham will not be paying over the odds for players. It’s not going to happen, it’s about value for money and west Ham are not yet in the position to compete with the likes of Man City, PSG and Chelsea’s spending power.
I understand that the club are looking for a marque one off signing this summer to open our first season at the Olympic Stadium, but we need to remember, this isn’t regular transfer activity for us – it will actually be a while before we see another £30m player being introduced.
I would love to see the likes of Gotze, Lacazette, Ibrahimovic et al in a claret and blue shirt but this isn’t a game of FIFA Ultimate Team or Football Manager. It’s real life and real money.
£40m is what Lyon are rightly entitled to ask for a world class player on their books in Alexandre Lacazette, they spent time and money on that player and have developed one off Europe’s hottest players.
So what direction do West Ham go?
Do they spend hard earned money with no guaranteed success, or do they invest in talented prospects and make them into stars?
As much as we all want to see West Ham compete in the transfer market for established players with big clubs in Europe, it is a losing battle. No amount of money in the world (unless you’re a desperate Chinese Super League team) will be enough to redirect the vision of a quality player playing for a big club on the big stage.
West Ham are not at that stage and are simply behind the Curtain, waiting patiently for the next opportunity.
I would rather see West Ham grow as a team, and that is what we’re already doing. You have to look at how far the youth development has come – finishing bottom a few seasons ago to now being Premier League Cup champions. We have an 18-year-old being the subject of £8m bids from bigger clubs and we have a 19-year-old Development Squad player being called up to his nation’s senior side.
There are a few players who will emerge into the senior squad next year and will feature a lot more than last season. The Europa League will help that too, playing youth alongside experience will be the right direction in that competition. If our youngsters can’t play, how are they supposed to develop? I do hope Oxford and Samuelsen in particular feature more in the first team next season.
I wouldn’t take notice of any transfer rumours and speculations that appear on Sky Sports News, social media and the newspapers, I’d wait until official confirmation from the club.
Retain your excitement and sky-high expectations, because I feel you will be heavily disappointed. Look forward to value for money signings defying expectations. The club have done a fantastic job so far.
Cheikhou Kouyate – £8m from Anderlecht, now dubbed the new Vieira.
Aaron Cresswell – bought for £4m from Ipswich and proven to be a solid and consistent left back of Premier League quality, now worth at least £12m
Angelo Ogbonna – Signed for £8m, a proven-centre back and after a fantastic 1st season has seen his value double.
Manuel Lanzini – £9m signing from AL Jazeera, proven his class and has potential.
Dimitri Payet – Arrived for £11m and was a player doubted by all (even by his national coach) but has proven to be the complete opposite by being voted in the PFA Team of the Year and was Hammer of the Year.
I have faith in the club, we now have a proven track record in getting the best players… but most importantly at the best price.
