Football may have come to a halt for the time being, but the show still continues behind-the-scenes for many clubs across the world; so what’s happening at West Ham United?
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, English football has been suspended until April 30 at the earliest, but it remains a possibility that we may not see the conclusion of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign.
However, Jack Rosser of the Evening Standard has published a Q&A style piece which highlights everything that is happening at London Stadium while we endure this crisis.
David Moyes took the reigns in east London at the start of 2020 – his second stint in charge of the Hammers – but failed to make a meaningful impact, winning just two Premier League matches in that period; so what are the Scot’s long-term plans for the club?
When asked about Moyes’ plans for the summer, Rosser said: “David Moyes had a plan for the squad the first time around, and it hasn’t changed too much in the time he has been away.
“The Scot made it clear from the off that he wanted to create a young, hungry squad made up of players who have something to prove in the Premier League.
“That likely means goodbye to Carlos Sanchez and hello to more signings like Jarrod Bowen. If the club take his ideas when it comes to recruitment on board we should see the end of glamour signings that haven’t always worked out and see a more logical approach taken.”
Another piece of business conducted by Moyes in the January transfer window was bringing Tomas Soucek to east London; the 25-year-old has impressed thus far, but the deal was a loan with an option to buy in the summer.
However, Rosser explained the intricacies of the deal for the midfielder. He said: “The deal to bring him in during the January transfer window is viewed within the club as essentially a permanent transfer with a deferred payment should they [West Ham] stay up.
“The Hammers paid Slavia Prague a £4million loan fee in January and, should they stay in the Premier League, they’ll then pay a further £16.7m to make the move permanent.
“Moyes has been very impressed with him early on so it looks a good investment at this stage.”
Not only is there expected to be incomings this summer, but another imperative piece of business that needs to be conducted by the West Ham board is keeping hold of their most prized asset – Declan Rice.
The 21-year-old has already made over 100 appearances for the club and rapidly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective defensive midfielders.
However, there will undoubtedly be interest in the England international this summer and Rosser has expanded in detail on this situation. He said: “Most Premier League clubs are likely to be interested in Rice; he is a fine prospect and has been back to his best under Moyes.
“He certainly has the potential to be at a Champions League club in the not too distant future, but there is a real sense that he knows what West Ham have given him.
“West Ham will no doubt face a battle to keep hold of Rice over the coming years, something Moyes is well aware of. It is one that many are perhaps resigned to the face they will not win in the long term.”
