Bear with me here. I know from the headline that many [West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-hams-striker-curse-strikes-again/) fans will be outraged at the idea of the Hammers’ two “Crown Jewels” leaving the club in January – as rumoured in multiple sources this weekend. I’d like to present the case ‘for’ these two players departing, and offer an alternative view of West Ham’s world afterwards.
Both of these two once-wonderful players are now performing at about 20% of their capacity yet are taking 100% of their salaries. Paquetá’s £150,000 a week and Kudus £90,000 a week is a pretty hefty portion of West Ham’s salary bill for players who are not performing.
Paquetá is at present a midfield liability who cannot get into the starting eleven any more. Sad to see – losing possession frequently in every game and showing little of the magic from 2 years ago. Of course he is preoccupied with his defence to the FA enquiry . But that doesn’t help the Hammers’ squad. Let him go back to Brazil.
Mohammed Kudus had a fabulous first season but then his ego got in the way and he’s now trying to win every game on his own, when he’s not falling out with the boss or getting red carded. Again, a shadow of the genius who scored ‘worldies’ last season. He’ll leave in July anyway, cash in now and use the £90 million to rebuild.
Imagine these two sold and even with Paquetá’s reduced value at present, £125 million in the transfer fund. Two creative, pacy young exciting midfielders such as Jobe Bellingham, AND Man City’s James McAtee captured along with a £30 million rated striker. Cash to spare for PSR.
How would you feel now about West Ham’s chances of rocketing up the Premier League in the second half of the season?
Not so unthinkable any more, is it? And yes, I know, you’ll all gripe on about changing the head coach being a pre-requisite. Of course, yes please.
But that’s not the point of this article. Leadership from Steidten and Sullivan could turn this from a Hammers’ shambles to a very exciting second half of the 2024/5 season.
The vital point here is that if we sell, we MUST buy. Young, fast, creative talent. **No more Donkeys**. And I’m not sure I trust the club to get it right.