A report in the Daily Mail has claimed that West Ham’s transfer infrastructure is unfit for purpose, as well as highlighting other issues at the club.
Among the other problems highlighted are the small training ground and training facilities, although the club has moved to refute those claims.
The club was silent on its transfer policy, however, after a summer in which the Hammers spent in the region of £100m.
What has been claimed?
The Mail made a number of claims. Their report said: “The river of TV money has done pitifully little for the basic football fabric and infrastructure of the club.
“When David Moyes made use of his manager’s changing room at Rush Green last season, he was surprised to find fourteen people also occupying it. He was expected to share.
“When the ‘Beast from the East’ struck last winter, Moyes had to take the players into the gym as there was inadequate undersoil heating at Rush Green. The gym wasn’t big enough, so extra Astroturf was laid outside it as well.
“West Ham insist that Rush Green has had millions of pounds spent on it and is a fitting Premier League training ground.”
“But an even more fundamental requirement for Premier League success is a serviceable system to find and buy the best players – and a picture emerges of this club’s being far below the required level.”
“The transfer policy seems to stem from the same four or five agents calling David Sullivan and telling him what he needs.
“It is thought that David Moyes had wanted to overhaul the club’s antiquated and random way of buying players, earlier this year. There were promises to fans from Sullivan that things would change after the home defeat to Burnley last March provoked a pitch invasion. Very early days, but as yet no improvement.”
A source also reportedly told the Mail: “They have a handful of scouts and no target lists. I’ve not come across a Premier League club like it for sheer lack of football infrastructure. The Premier League income affords them this way to try to buy their way out of trouble. The rest of Europe just laughs at this kind of thing.”
West Ham deny some of the claims
In an official statement on the club’s website, West Ham moved to specifically deny some of the claims made. They said: “West Ham United are pleased to confirm to supporters that the Club have spent almost £10 million on training facilities in the last two years and that investment is set to continue.
“The club recently invested £5 million on major renovations upgrading facilities at Rush Green for our men’s first team. This investment ensures we have some of the best facilities in the country.
“Contrary to the newspaper report, the manager and coaches do not have to share changing facilities with others. Rush Green has been developed specifically for the Club’s first team and no-one shares their facilities with them.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 28: West Ham United Joint Chairman David Sullivan and his son Jack Sullivan look on during the pre-season friendly match between Ipswich Town and West Ham United at Portman Road on July 28, 2018 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Transfer policy needs updating
Sullivan’s decision to step back from transfer affairs and bring in Mario Husillos as Director of Football was a step in the right direction this summer.
However, the early signs are that West Ham’s transfer policy is in need of a revamp. Pellegrini has got in a variety of players from different leagues and they are taking a while to adjust to English football.
Looking at the way West Ham’s new-boys have struggled, in comparison to say, Watford’s cosmopolitan squad indicates there is plenty of work to be done.
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