SHOULD West Ham pull off their ‘Great Escape2.0’, then serious thought has to be given to reshaping – or as Nuno prefers to call it – ‘rebalancing’ their back line.
Many column inches have been given over to describe the shortcomings of £40 million Maximilian Kilman who has been unable to cut it as a Premier League starter and may be the classic example of an innocent party promoted one step beyond his ability: The classic ‘Peter Principle” applied to Premier League footballers.
Apart from loaning the likeable but meek Kilman out to championship sides, the Hammers have little chance of moving him on: A return of even half the financial outlay made by Sullivan in Lopetegui’s honeymoon period seems unlikely.
Kilman-Wolves
ineffective Kilman surely not part of West Ham’s plans whatever division they play in next season.
As does the chance of West Ham securing long-term target and Kilman replacement Charlie Cresswell. Almost hiding in plain sight in the French ligue 1, Cresswell is now attracting suitors from far and wide and Sullivan’s failed attempt to get him on a cut-price loan deal last August now looks just – sad.
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According to insider Ben Jacobs speaking on MUFC podcast UnitedWeStand, the Red Devils are likely to blow West Ham’s interest out of the water.:
“One name that I think they [Manchester United] really like, that’s a new name I can bring to the mix is Charlie Cresswell, who used to be at Leeds United. An England U21 international, Wolfsburg came very close to signing him in the January window but were not able to meet the Toulouse valuation….So, he’s still there, he’s playing every week in Ligue 1. Along with a few other names, he’s one of the profiles that Man United are looking at”
Another one bites the dust. Even if the Hammers could stump up the £25 million – plus , a newly revitalised Manchester United will take some stopping in the transfer market and West Ham certainly don’t have the pull to lure Cresswell to east London. Even if they do stay in the top tier next season.