In a week when Premier League clubs ceased trading and the transfer window closed, the time has come for West Ham United’s business to be analysed with the finest of tooth-combs.
Have the Hammers done enough to secure top-flight football for another season?
A brutal letter written to the club’s owners by the official West Ham United fan advisory board this week certainly suggests that one away win at Nottingham Forest, as impressive as it might have been, is not enough to quell a lingering sense of unease.
Only time will tell whether Mateus Fernandes can build on an excellent debut at the City Ground. Whether Callum Wilson is the number nine Graham Potter has been praying for, whether Mads Hermansen settles, or whether Malick Diouf can realistically challenge at the top of the assist charts.
Fernandes impressed the West Ham faithful with a typically all-action display last time out. Wilson converted a gorgeous Diouf cross, while Hermansen secured a first Hammers clean sheet after conceding eight in his previous two appearances.
On this evidence, surely those new faces deserve the benefit of the doubt, especially Fernandes. After all, there is little to suggest that Aleix Garcia of Bayer Leverkusen would have been a better use of the club’s funds.
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West Ham United dropped Aleix Garcia interest once Mateus Fernandes left Southampton
Hammers News reported in mid-August that West Ham were eyeing up Aleix Garcia.
The £15 million Bayer Leverkusen playmaker had appeared on the radar after Southampton rejected an opening bid for Mateus Fernandes.
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A Spain international who helped Girona qualify for the Champions League in 2024. A well-travelled, experienced midfielder who had played in England before with Manchester City; Garcia did feel like something of a safe bet compared to the more expensive, younger and recently-relegated Fernandes.
But, as German publication Kicker explains, West Ham’s interest in Aleix Garcia ‘fell through’ as soon as they reached a breakthrough with the Saints on a deal worth around £40 million.
And while Mateus Fernandes makes a fine first impression on teammates and fans alike, Garcia has endured a punishing couple of weeks over in Germany. Erik ten Hag was sensationally given the boot after only two Bundesliga matches, while Leverkusen are already trailing Bayern Munich by five points.
Mateus Fernandes was impressed by what Graham Potter told him
Aleix Garcia is not the only Mateus Fernandes alternative who found himself under consideration.
Hammers News understands that West Ham offered Torino £17.5 million for Ivan Ilic. Another one-time Man City starlet.
Christantus Uche joined London neighbours Crystal Palace from Getafe, while Feyenoord were delighted to keep Quinten Timber from out of the Hammers’ clutches.
Back at the London Stadium, Mateus Fernandes highlighted Graham Potter’s tactical approach as a big driving factor in his late-August transfer.
“I think the main thing that stood out [when talking to Graham Potter] was about the style of play,” Fernandes said last week. “I want to try to play football and enjoy football. I don’t want to just run and try to score, but to try and play good football. And I think West Ham is a good fit.
“I thought what the head coach told me about the project was fantastic. He showed me everything he wanted to do, which I really liked. So yeah, I’m very happy to be here.”