Incredibly March 18th marks three years since West Ham’s unforgettable win over Sevilla in the Europa League.
So where are they now and where on earth did it all go wrong as those European nights look like a distant dream for 16th placed West Ham.
The mere mention of Sevilla evokes memories of one of the greatest weeks in West Ham’s modern history.
David Moyes’ side were big underdogs given Sevilla’s Europa League pedigree had made them favourites to win the competition.
After losing 1-0 in the away leg, the Hammers had it all to do.
But despite going on to win the Europa Conference League the next season to end a 43-year major trophy drought, the West Ham team that came from behind to win that dramatic tie 2-1 are just as legendary.
It is regarded as the greatest atmosphere for any Hammers game so far at the London Stadium.
Just picturing a bandaged Tomas Soucek rising high into the east London sky to power home an equaliser is enough to bring a wistful tear to the eye.
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Let alone replaying the moment Pablo Fornals collected a genius hooked cross-field pass from Manuel Lanzini in extra-time.
The Hammers’ Spanish hero, who many wish was still at the club to play under Graham Potter, cut inside and let fly at goal.
Fornals’ effort could only be parried into the path of Andriy Yarmolenko, whose homeland had been invaded by Russia in the weeks before, leaving his family stranded and in need of rescuing.
The history books will forever tell the tale of what happened next.
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Only 5 of West Ham’s 23 Sevilla heroes remain 3 years on
Yarmolenko tapped home to spark some of the most remarkable and emotional scenes ever witnessed at this storied football club.
Ironically the game goes down as West Ham fans’ favourite ever game involving a team managed by Julen Lopetegui.
Astonishingly, only five of West Ham’s 23-man squad from that night remain. And only one member of the coaching staff.
So how did it go so wrong for the struggling Hammers since.
And where are the heroes of Sevilla now?
Lopetegui is one of the big reasons things have gone so wrong.
Along with the arrival of Tim Steidten, which ultimately resulted in the demise of Moyes’ influence and tenure.
Moyes is not blameless, he failed to continue to refresh the team with young, hungry players as he’d promised.
How did it go so wrong for West Ham since Sevilla?
Declan Rice went and wasn’t adequately replaced with the £105m the Hammers received for him.
West Ham have spent money since that game. Plenty of it.
In fact the Irons are the sixth biggest spenders in the Premier League since the start of 2022.
But, as always, it is not what you spend but rather how you spend it.
Key positions such as striker, and in recent seasons midfield, have either gone ignored for too long or the players signed simply have not been good enough or complemented one another at all.
West Ham’s team now lacks dynamism, athleticism, craft and guile.
And another overhaul is needed this summer.
If West Ham are to have any hope of tasting those legendary European nights again anytime soon then there can be no more missteps.
Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images
West Ham’s heroes of Sevilla, where they are now:
Starting XI:
Alphonse Areola: Then West Ham’s number two, Areola made a stunning save in that game from Youssef En-Nesyri which was as good as a goal. Areola was on a season-long loan at the time and it was the save which convinced Moyes to sign him permanently from PSG for £10m. After spells in and out of the number one spot, the Frenchman is now Potter’s number one.
Ben Johnson: Versatile Academy graduate failed to kick on after that season, which was the best of his career so far. Became a utility player and snubbed a new deal at West Ham before leaving on a free last summer. Currently on course to be relegated with Ipswich.
Craig Dawson: West Ham hero with the nickname Ballon Dawson cemented his cult hero status on that European run. But he pushed to leave midway through the next season to be closer to his family in the north. Joined Wolves for £3.5m where he was just as good for a spell. He has been left out of Wolves’ squad under their new manager and is searching for a new club for the summer if he doesn’t decide to retire.
Kurt Zouma: Took over from Rice as captain but serious knee issues reduced Zouma to a walking footballer at times. Zouma is still officially owned by West Ham but is on a season-long loan at Saudi Pro League club Al-Orobah, where he has made just 13 appearances. Zouma’s contract is expiring at the end of this season. Off the pitch, he has been another big character in the dressing room lost.
Aaron Cresswell: The second of the remaining five. Enjoying something of an Indian summer in his career under Potter of late. Cresswell has had a strange few years. He pushed for a move away to Wolves when Lopetegui was their manager. He ended up costing West Ham dear in the semi-final that year. But he has been a fantastic servant and looks set to be handed a new one-year deal taking him beyond his 36th birthday.
Photo by Federico Maranesi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Federico Maranesi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Tomas Soucek: Mr Reliable Soucek is still scoring big goals for the Hammers, as he did in the 1-1 draw at Everton at the weekend. A true Hammers hero on his way to legend status if he hasn’t secured it already.
Declan Rice: Led West Ham to their only major trophy of the last 45 years the season after that Sevilla game. Sullied his name among some of the fanbase by choosing to join Arsenal over Man City when he left afterwards in a record £105m move for a British player. Yet to win lift a trophy since in two years with the Gunners.
Manuel Lanzini: A wonderful player who will be fondly remembered by all at West Ham. He left after the Conference League win when his contract expired. Rejoined boyhood club River Plater for whom he has made just 17 appearances since, scoring once. Back in October, Lanzini was presented with a framed shirt numbered 100 to celebrate him making 100 appearances for River over two spells. West Ham sorely lack a player of his talent in midfield who can take people on and open games up.
Pablo Fornals: Anyone who watched Fornals play would think he grew up in Plaistow watching the club from the Chicken Run. That’s how much Fornals embraced being West Ham. From his passion and running to singing “West Ham are massive” or his special Spanish chant to scoring that unforgettable goal in the semi-final at Alkmaar the following year. Fornals made the winner that night against Sevilla. A true Hammers hero and a crying shame he was sold to Betis. In hindsight he would have been perfect under Potter.
Said Benrahma: The Algerian always divided opinion among many Hammers fans. But recent statistics show he was actually more effective for the Hammers in almost all key areas than Mohammed Kudus. Scored the penalty in the Conference League final in Prague the season after to cement his place in West Ham folklore. Joined Lyon in a deal totalling £17.3m, initially on loan in January last year. Has since been loaned to Saudi second tier side Neom. A £10m purchase option with bonuses up to £2m will be payable should Neom gain promotion to the Saudi Pro League.
Michail Antonio: One of the five who remain. Currently fighting fit after his car crash near Christmas. Made the goal for Soucek that night against Sevilla and has always showed up for West Ham in big games and to provide historic goals. Debate has raged over whether he should be handed a new deal which will take him beyond his 36th birthday. Hammers News understands West Ham have made their decision on Antonio.
Substitutes:
Andriy Yarmolenko: The Ukraine legend scored two of West Ham’s most important goals of modern times. That one against Sevilla and the winner over Chelsea which ensured West Ham survived in the Covid season. Injuries blighted his time at West Ham. But ‘Yarma’ will be fondly remembered in east London. He left at the end of his contract a few months after his Sevilla moment to join UAE Pro League side Al Ain. The attacker scored 12 goals in 33 games there before returning to boyhood club Dynamo Kyiv. Now 35, Yarmolenko scored eight goals in 20 games in his first season back at Kyiv. And he has seven goals in 18 this season.
Mark Noble: The skipper retired that summer but got to live through that magical season, coming on in the latter stages of the Sevilla game. Became West Ham’s sporting director, a role in which he remains, which meant he got to be part of the club finally winning an elusive major trophy the next season. Another huge character the dressing room has lost since. But at least he is still in the club as a positive influence.
Issa Diop: Joined Fulham that summer after Sevilla in a £15m deal. Has played 77 games in his near three seasons in west London. Currently helping Marco Silva’s side push for a possible Champions League place. Wasn’t rated by many West Ham fans. But have those who have come since such as Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos – for a combined £50m no less – really been an improvement? No.
Ryan Fredericks: A hugely popular player among West Ham’s squad. Fredericks struggled to ever establish himself as West Ham’s first choice right-back, especially after the arrival of Vladimir Coufal. Left on a free to join Bournemouth the summer after Sevilla. Sadly only managed 13 games due to injuries which ravaged his career and has ultimately ended it early aged just 32.
Lukasz Fabianski: Remains at West Ham as the number two under Potter. The club must decide whether to renew his contract beyond his 40th birthday. One of the best goalkeepers of West Ham’s modern era.
Nikola Vlasic: Struggled to ever live up to his £26m price tag. Went on loan to Torino in the summer after that night against Sevilla and the move was made permanent. Vlasic, now 27, has played 95 times for Torino since, scoring 12 goals.
Arthur Masuaku: King Arthur was another big character who left that summer after Sevilla. He joined Besiktas on loan with an obligation to buy. He has been with the Turkish side ever since – scoring three goals in 98 games. Masuaku has won the Turkish Cup and Turkish Super Cup in his three years there.