Despite all the best (or worst) laid plans to strengthen West Ham’s midfield, it looks as though Graham Potter will head into the [Premier League](https://www.claretandhugh.info/premier-league-bio/) opener in all-too-familiar territory.
The team is in an odd position as we enter the new season of Saturday. I can see a scenario where our fortunes could swing either way. If the club manage to sign Mateus Fernandes, I believe we’d avoid a relegation struggle this season. Sign two midfielders, and we might even have a balanced, competitive team.
However, the midfield Potter is likely to select against Sunderland will struggle over the course of the campaign if it isn’t reinforced. It might just be functional enough to get past the Black Cats, but the Stadium of Light will be buzzing with new signings—one of whom, Habib Diarra, was snatched from right under West Ham’s nose.
Sunderland will be fired up in a raucous atmosphere, desperate to give Potter’s side a bloody nose on opening day. Midfield remains the glaring concern, and I can’t help but feel we wasted too much time chasing Jacob Ramsey, a player who had already indicated he wasn’t interested in moving to the [London Stadium](https://www.claretandhugh.info/london-stadium-bio/).
If West Ham are to act, they must do so quickly. The midfield that might just survive in the North East is almost certain to be overrun against Chelsea the following Friday.