An image of Michael Carrick managing Middlesbrough, next to a circular inset of a West Ham United badge
(Credit: Imago)
Andrew Beharie
Mon 25 August 2025 16:40, UK
West Ham United are in desperate need of reinforcements.
The Hammers are bottom of the Premier League after following up a 3-0 away defeat to Sunderland, before West Ham were thrashed 5-1 by Chelsea.
Graham Potter’s future as West Ham boss is in question after just five wins in his 21 games in charge at the London Stadium, although he has been backed to turn it around by the Hammers board.
David Sullivan believes Potter’s side have been hamstrung by poor recruitment in the past, and is looking to make amends with a young acquisition from the Championship.
West Ham manager Graham Potter anxiously watches on from the dugout
The pressure on Potter was ramped up after a heavy defeat to Chelsea (Credit: Imago)
Michael Carrick raves over West Ham target Hayden Hackney
Hayden Hackney has emerged as a target for West Ham in the late stages of the transfer window.
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Hackney developed into a top talent in the Championship under former Hammers midfielder Michael Carrick, with Ipswich Town seeing a bid accepted for the 23-year-old, before he ultimately turned down the move.
Carrick oversaw the development of the midfielder in recent seasons during his time on Teeside and raved about the young star consistently before his exit in June.
Speaking ahead of a clash with Southampton in 2024, Carrick said: “He’s grounded, he’s humble, he’s down to earth and loves to learn. He loves the place and he loves the club as well.
“To have that, added with the talent he has got, it’s the perfect scenario. I think it just shows his consistency really, over a long period of time. It’s not easy when you’re a younger player, but he’s certainly done that.
“There is a level of talent out there in and around football and sometimes it might not be that different player to player, but levels can be jumped, or not, if your head is not in the right place and you don’t go about your business in the right way and treat your profession with respect.
“Hayden certainly does that. He’s been exemplary really since I’ve been here and I really enjoy working with him. He’s desperate for more, desperate to learn, and he’s a real credit to his family, to himself and to the club.”
An image of Hayden Hackney warming up for Middlesbrough
Hayden Hackney is linked with a move to West Ham United this summer (Credit: Imago)
Hayden Hackney would bring much needed energy to a stagnant midfield
West Ham’s midfield at the start of this season has been nothing short of atrocious, with both James Ward-Prowse and Guido Rodriguez struggling to cope against Sunderland’s midfield, while Tomas Soucek was also poor against Chelsea.
Hackney would bring some much-needed energy to a stale, slow Hammers midfield, whilst also possessing the attributes to bring the ball forward and progress the play.
Hayden Hackney stats
(Credit: DataMB)
West Ham have many issues to solve, and the Redcar-born midfielder will not solve their issues at the back on his own, but he can help remedy the lack of movement in the middle of the park and get Potter’s side ticking.
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