A worrying statistic recently emerged that reinforced West Ham’s need to recruit a striker in the January transfer window. It’s a brutal indictment of West Ham’s recruitment woes
In a jaw-dropping twist of football irony, Erling Haaland the Norwegian goal machine has scored the same amount of goals at the London Stadium than the club’s last five striker signings combined with six goals in just three appearances against West Ham United including a hat-trick in August 2024.
Yes, you read that right: Haaland, a visiting menace, has equalled Niclas Füllkrug, Callum Wilson, Danny Ings, Gianluca Scamacca, and Evan Ferguson—on their own turf.
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Even Ferguson on his West Ham debut
Ferguson was indictive of the West Ham striker curse
Since leaving West Ham Danny Ings has joined Championship strugglers Sheffield United where he has made three appearances with zero goals, Evan Ferguson completed a loan move from Brighton to Roma, with five appearances and zero goals. Gianluca Scamacca has been plagued by injuries since joining Atalanta in August 2023 and has only managed 32 appearances in that time, contributing 13 goals. The Italian international has missed 65 games, and been in the injury room for 423 days!
Despite their varied profiles ranging from experienced players to promising youth prospects none have delivered the consistent goal threat West Ham desperately needed.
West Ham strikers Niclas Fullkrug and Danny Ings at The London Stadium
Neither Fullkrug or Ings supplied a goal threat despite huge wages
Recruitment AND Tactics to Blame for West Ham Striker Woes
Arguably several factors have contributed to their collective failure which include tactical misalignment, injuries and lack of service. West Ham’s midfield has struggled to consistently create chances, leaving strikers isolated.
With Nuno Espírito Santo now at the helm, West Ham may look to reshape their attacking options in the January transfer window. Nuno’s Wolves side thrived with dynamic forwards like Diogo Jota and Raúl Jiménez. A striker who can press, link play, and finish.
West Ham might explore short-term options and have already been linked with Ivan Toney. Yet how a loan deal would work in practice remains unclear given the strikers extortionate wages.
Erling Haalands dominance at the London Stadium is a painful reminder of West Ham’s striker woes. As Nuno Espírito Santo prepares for his first transfer window, the pressure is on to finally find a forward who can make the London stadium cheer – for the home side!