Graham Potter must rebuild West Ham this summer.Graham Potter must rebuild West Ham this summer.
Graham Potter must rebuild West Ham this summer. | Getty Images
West Ham ensured a boost in Premier League prize money thanks to a victory on the final day of the season.
West Ham have ended a turbulent Premier League season in 14th. That’s the lowest place for the Hammers since 2020 and more is needed next season.
For Graham Potter, planning for the 2025/26 season must start now. The former Chelsea and Brighton manager has only been in the hotseat since January but now has the whole summer to prepare to prove his worth next term.
It’s blindingly obvious that West Ham need to improve their squad. Last summer’s window was nothing short of dreadful when it came to recruitment. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been the only real triumph.
West Ham must improve transfer dealings
Max Kilman has improved over the campaign but the £40 million splurged on him still looks overpriced while injury-plagued Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have struggled to get on the pitch. Meanwhile, loanees Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez have been flops. In January, Evan Ferguson joined the ranks on loan but didn’t score a single goal and was only afforded eight outings in an anonymous period at the London Stadium.
Not only is the transfer window a chance to improve but it’s a chance to show intent too. West Ham fans need to be reminded that the club has ambition and Premier League rivals could do with seeing that too.
Hammers should spend Premier League prize money on Spurs transfer target
De Winter has been compared with Manchester City legend and compatriot Vincent Kompany thanks to his playing style and is aware of the similarities. He told The i Paper: “All my life I have been told I play like Vincent Kompany.
“I have this ability to make runs with the ball like he did, I have the same technical side. It’s a really big name, so I one day hope to be able to live up to him. You look at the other big names [Belgian internationals] and it is only right that they ended playing up in the best competitions.”
However, La Repubblica have this week reported that Tottenham Hotspur have made the first move for the defender with a £20 million bid sent to Genoa. Spurs can offer De Winter European football, which West Ham cannot, but the Hammers must show ambition and keep up in the transfer race - having already seen Potter’s attempts to woo Lille midfielder Angel Gomes fail.
With West Ham’s final Premier League position confirmed, they are set to pocket £19.7 million. That’s significantly more than the £11.3 million Spurs will receive for coming 17th and that lump sum of money would be well invested by being sent straight to Genoa to equal that bid from Ange Postecoglou’s side. For West Ham, it’s time for action.
In other news, West Ham in three-way transfer battle with Leeds United & Aston Villa for £25m ace who is 'becoming ultimate Premier League' star.
Continue Reading