Analysis: The importance of West Ham’s Deadline Day signings

“The window has closed, well done David Sullivan, Slaven and all involved in what has been one of the most remarkable transfer window in our history.”

That was the comment made via Twitter by co Chairman David Gold on the 1st September. If it was better than the frantic events of 2006 when West Ham managed to secure the services of Argentinian superstar’s Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, then the Hammers are going to have a very successful season.

Before the first day of Autumn, the Hammers sealed eight new additions to the squad, but on Transfer Deadline Day, the East Londoners were far from finished with transfer activity.

Arguably the busiest club on the 1st September, Michail Antonio, Alex Song, Nikica Jelavic and Victor Moses all joined the Upton Park outfit in the last remaining hours of the window.

That makes it 12 new players at the club during the summer transfer window, and with that type of strength in depth, many are expecting a flourish of positivity ahead for the E13 side.

However, out of the final day signings, which player will make the most impact in the quest for a possible return of Europa League football for next season in the iconic Olympic Stadium?

We’ve had a closer look at each one…

CLICK HERE TO REVEAL


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Nikica Jelavic

The former Everton frontman is said to be overjoyed at being reunited with his fellow countryman Slaven Bilic, as the West Ham manager worked with the ex-Rangers striker while he was the boss of the Croatian National side between 2006 and 2012.

The £3m signing from recently relegated Hull Cit has failed to hit double figures in the scoring charts since his move to the Toffees from the Gers in 2012, with his most prolific season coming in his debut season in England’s top flight, notching nine goals.

A fully fit West Ham strike force would see Jelavic as the fifth choice forward for selection, however, as a player to bring on when a goal is needed, the former Hajduk Split striker is still an effective player.


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Victor Moses

On the back of signig a new four year deal at Chelsea, Blues manager Jose Mourinho loaned out the Nigerian attacker to the current Premier League title holders’ London rivals.

The 24-year-old has been full of promise ever since he broke into the Crystal Palace side back in 2007 at the tender age of 16.

His two year spell between 2010 and 2012 saw his great strength, power, dribbling and flair force a move to Stamford Bridge. Since his move to West London, Moses’ spells with Liverpool and Stoke City have seen the tricky winger go under the radar slightly, even though he did score for the Potteries in last season’s 2-2 draw against the Hammers, and was also named man of the match.

Considering his young age and undoubted ability, can Moses rekindle his form he showed at Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic in his temporary spell at the Boleyn Ground?


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Alex Song

The midfield enforcer is back. Although it has been a laborious process in bringing the former Cameroon international back to West Ham, it was definitely worth the wait.

Arriving on loan for a second spell from Spanish giants FC Barcelona, the ex-Arsenal man will be looking to extend his brilliant form he showed the magnificent Hammers faithful at the beginning of the last campaign where he was breath taking to watch and inspirational to the whole team.

In a solid and effective season for the Hammers, only Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic won more possession in the middle of the pitch than the 27-year-old, while last season saw Song complete more passes per minute than former West Ham midfielder Stewart Downing and current Hammers playmaker Dimitri Payet while the Frenchman was with his last club Marseille.

Although his impact won’t be immediate back in the famous claret and blue shirt as he recovers from knee surgery, by the end of the season Song could become the impetus in an expected solid top half finish or better.


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Michail Antonio

Despite having no experience at Premier League level, Antonio could potentially be the one that makes the most impact out of the four Deadline Day arrivals for West Ham.

With the lack of depth on the wings and the desperate need for speed, Bilic has used his inferior knowledge of English football to secure the £7m signing of Antonio, and offloaded a fading Matt Jarvis to Norwich City.

The 25-year-old, who started his career at non-league minnows Tooting & Mitcham United, completed 104 dribbles in the Championship last season for Nottingham Forest, only Crystal Palace new boy Bakary Sako completed more.

Many think £7m for a Championship winger who is yet to prove himself at the highest level is steep and a risky piece of business. However, once a upon a time in 2005 Aaron Lennon didn’t have any Premier League games under his belt before a switch from Leeds United to Tottenham Hotspur made him one of the most dangerous wingers in the country in a 10 year spell at White Hart Lane.

Antonio has an extremely high chance of achieving the same.


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