The Curious Curse of West Ham: Why Do Stars Fade in Claret and Blue?
A curious—and troubling—pattern has emerged over the years at West Ham United: players arrive with glowing reputations, only to see their form nosedive in claret and blue. Many later rediscover their brilliance after leaving the club.
Fans have dubbed it the “West Ham curse”—a phenomenon that seems to sap the confidence, flair, and productivity from even the most gifted footballers.
Most Read on West Ham News
The reasons remain murky, but one obvious issue is the club’s revolving door of managers and tactical philosophies. Players signed for one system often find themselves out of favour when a new boss arrives—Edson Álvarez being a recent example.
It’s also fair to acknowledge that the Premier League is the most competitive league in the world. Matches are fast, intense, and physically punishing—conditions that can derail even top talents trying to adapt.
But the speed at which some players have acclimatised post-departure raises eyebrows. Their form rebounds almost immediately—suggesting the problem might lie closer to home.
Free from the pressure of The London Stadium
Take Emerson Palmieri, who left West Ham for Marseille in a deal reportedly worth under £1 million. In his debut against Real Madrid, he won 8 out of 8 ground duels and was described by Le Quotidien Du Sport as “perhaps the best Marseille player on the pitch.”
Nayef Aguerd excelled while on loan at Real Sociedad but struggled upon returning to West Ham, eventually departing again for Marseille after a series of underwhelming displays.
Nayef Aguerd
Success on-loan – Nayef Aguerd
Sebastian Haller managed just 10 goals in 48 games for the Hammers—before notching 32 in 50 appearances at Ajax in a single season.
Even Mohammed Kudus, a star at Ajax, started brightly in East London but faded last season before moving to Spurs for £54.5 million—well below his reported £85 million valuation.
Talented players arrive, underperform, and then flourish elsewhere. Whether it’s down to tactical rigidity, inconsistent leadership, or poor squad planning, West Ham must address these issues head-on—because unless something changes, the “curse” will continue.