Looking to balance the books yet retain a core of committed players is going to be a huge challenge for whoever is running West Ham’s transfer policy this summer. We are still none the wiser as to who will be handling negotiations when the window opens on 15th June, with the Irons needing to shed millions from the wage bill and liberate cash to deal with the transfer debt.
Despite early indications that stalwarts Bowen and Soucek, along with Dinos Mavropanos, Taty Castellanos and Mads Hermansen ‘may’ stay, fans will be only too aware that until 11pm on 1st September there is really no certainty as to who stays and who leaves with the financial crisis- rather than squad needs- likely to decide every major decision.
El Hadji-Malick Diouf – wanted in the Premier League despite mixed debut season
El Hadji Malick Diouf
Diouf will develop in the next two or three years into an excellent asset – but West Ham don’t have the luxury of time.
Apart from the headline likely departures – of which West Ham fans will be only too aware – of key assets like Fernandes and Summerville – there’s a whole tranche of talent which is attracting interest from English teams and overseas. The enigma that is El Hadji-Malick Diouf is a case in point: Linked in recent days with both Manchester United and FC Porto, Irons fans are likely somewhat conflicted about the youngster following his debut season in the Premier League.
Those booming curling crosses looked incredible early on, but gave way to aimless wild ‘hit and hopes’ later in the season as Diouf frequently fired the ball in without a glance to establish to whom, what or where he was passing. His defensive shortcomings became well documented and having seen him in action, likely few West Ham fans will shed a tear if he departs in the summer.
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Very much a diamond in the rough, the 21 year old has time on his side but will need to up his game wherever he moves next. The Hammers don’t have the luxury of waiting for him to learn how to play without those dreadful defensive lapses for which his time at West Ham will most likely be remembered.
When he turns up in a trophy winning club in a couple of years time we will hopefully have learned how to look back more fondly on the time he spent cutting his teeth in English football.