West Ham fan and Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg has revealed the positions Graham Potter is looking to strengthen in his latest transfer update.
The in-depth piece, which includes transfer updates from all Premier League clubs, became particularly revealing when it came to reeling off Potter’s wishlist.
According to Steinberg, the Hammers boss is targeting a left-sided centre-back, two midfielders, a striker, and a goalkeeper.
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If anything, the list feels a little threadbare, especially considering the club are expecting to lose Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paquetá, Emerson, Maxwel Cornet, Andy Irving, Guido Rodríguez, and Edson Álvarez.
Meanwhile, Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells, and Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio, Vladimir Coufal, Danny Ings, and Łukasz Fabiański have all been released.
If Steinberg’s update is accurate, one of the midfield targets would presumably be a No.10, given how creatively limited West Ham’s midfield was last season.
It also suggests a huge amount of pressure will be placed on Crysencio Summerville to fill the void left by Kudus. That, in itself, could prove problematic—Summerville is not expected to be fit until September at the earliest.
Perhaps Potter is banking on West Ham’s academy graduates stepping up, and hoping that Luis Guilherme makes a leap forward this season.
Whatever the plan, one thing is clear: any new arrivals will need to hit the ground running. With so few additions expected, there’s no room for passengers.