West Ham United fans have watched on in bemusement as the club has embarked on a deadline day clearout.
West Ham launch last gasp move for one of the Prem stars of last season – insider
Hammers boss David Moyes had made it clear he was desperate for reinforcements as he felt he was short in defence and midfield (whufc.com).
Unpopular West Ham co-owner David Sullivan told talkSPORT Moyes had £40million to spend. Much of that was generated through the controversial sale of young star Grady Diangana to West Brom for £20million.
Where’s the money gone?
Only £5m right-back Vladimir Coufal has arrived since.
But instead of bringing players in to give Moyes a boost on deadline day, West Ham have cleared the decks.
Jack Wilshere has had his contract terminated, Josh Cullen has been sold to Anderlecht, Xande Silva has been loaned to a club in Greece and Felipe Anderson is on the verge of a loan move to Porto (whufc.com).
Some fans believe it is a sign West Ham are clearing the way for new arrivals.
Others suggest it is simply to save money with Sullivan and David Gold pleading poverty in the wake of the global health crisis.
Broke or something brewing?
Whether West Ham are broke or have something brewing remains to be seen.
But it would be inexplicable for Moyes to face the rest of the season with his current squad which has been whittled down to just 20 senior first team players.
And that includes third-choice ‘training ground’ goalkeeper David Martin.
Of those 20 players, at least six of them are deemed either not good enough or lacking the form, fitness and workrate required to perform in the Premier League for West Ham.
Even if Anderson ends up staying at West Ham, he is not getting a kick anyway.
West Ham squad left hanging by a thread
It leaves West Ham’s squad – who are flying high on confidence after two of the best performances of the last five years – on an absolute knife edge.
Just one injury in a host of positions would completely change the complexion and quality of the team.
Imagine – heaven forbid – if the injury-prone Michail Antonio was to face a spell on the sidelines.
It doesn’t bear thinking about.
The same could be said of Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice and Angelo Ogbonna. Even Jarrod Bowen is starting to look irreplaceable in the current squad.
Surely West Ham have plans to bring signings in? If not the Hammers could turn a promising season into another relegation battle.
Of course beyond tonight West Ham have until next Friday (October 16th) to sign players from the Championship.
Former Chelsea hate figure the man behind latest West Ham transfer
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
