Potter's men were thrashedplaceholder image
Potter's men were thrashed | Getty Images
West Ham are now said to be working on a much-needed signing after a poor midfield display against Chelsea.
West Ham are said to be working on a new midfield signing amid their drubbing at the hands of Chelsea on Friday night. The Hammers were a defensive disaster, at the London Stadium, giving away a one-goal lead and ending up pretty much out of the game by half time.
With eight goals conceded in two games, it is already panic stations at West Ham, and pressure will already be building on Graham Potter, who has struggled since he arrived in January. West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has backed Potter, but as Jamie Redknapp said on Sky Sports after the game, the club must back him with more than words.
Redknapp said: “They need four, five, six new signings. They haven't got the quality. I've seen some defending in my life... that was as bad as it gets. It was so poor.
"Confidence is low. The goalkeeper doesn't make it any easier - he's having a really difficult time. He probably needs to be changed. He's already made high-profile mistakes. [Alphonse] Areola might have to come in. He doesn't fill me with any confidence right now."
Amid those comments, West Ham are said to be pushing for a deal to sign AS Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa. According to reports in France, the Hammers are expected to improve on their £13.8million offer, which was rejected.
SportWitness point out that reports in France have suggested that West Ham have already agreed a deal with the player. The report reads: “West Ham agree six year deal with player – €16m bid in, negotiations underway.”
The 21-year-old is a defensive midfielder who has racked up 44 league appearances for Monaco, while he represented France at the last Olympics.
Potter on dismal display
Potter was not impressed with what he saw against Chelsea. He said: “It's bitterly disappointing, of course, with the results, with the manner of the goals. I thought they were too cheap. I think when you do that, it gives yourself a real challenge in the Premier League, and especially when it's a team with the talent and the quality that Chelsea have. It was a tough evening for us.
“I think it probably set the tone, their first goal. Again, too easy, too cheap. And then we're probably fine margins. We're unlucky not to go 2-1 up. We scored a good goal, a good reaction from the players. But then again, their second goal is a poor goal from our perspective. We have to do a lot better than that. I think the players will be honest enough to say that. We have to do better.
“And then once you're behind in the game, you're caught between going after them and putting some pressure on, and at the same time getting played through because of the quality they have. But nevertheless, I thought we can say what we want. When you concede the goals that we did, it makes the game nigh on impossible.
“It can happen in football. Of course it can. Goals happen and we're in a moment where the week we've had has been a really difficult week. There's no getting away from that. So psychologically, we've got some challenges. We have to work. We've got a game on Tuesday [at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup], which I think is good for us.
“We need to prepare and move forward to that. We have to stick together. There's no point in me pointing fingers and all that stuff. Collectively, we weren't good enough today. We have to take that responsibility together. And we have to move forward and work harder”
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