Thanks largely to the deep pockets and big ambitions Daniel Kretinsky, West Ham United can look forward to the new season with a renewed sense of optimism.
The Hammers’ Championship opener away to Burnley is just two months away. From the devastation and doom that accompanied their relegation in May, from a long-term perspective, a fresh start under a new ownership may yet be worth a season or two in the second tier.
A trade-off which, if Daniel Kretinsky brings Premier League football back at the first time of asking, many fans would have snapped your hands off for.
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Can Kretinsky awaken this ‘sleeping giant’? It is too early to say. But promising to retain key players, giving his full backing to Nuno Espirito Santo, the pursuit of a much-needed director of football while moving on from the David Sullivan era – all the while injecting a minimum of £90 million into the club – has the giant stirring in his slumber.
It is fair to say supporters of Sheffield United are not approaching the new campaign with anywhere near the same levels of confidence. The mood at Bramall Lane would darken further if a star player leaves for East London.
It is no secret that West Ham are big fans of Sydie Peck, after all.
West Ham growing in optimism as Sheffield United fear Sydie Peck sale
Frustration greeted the news on Thursday that winger Andre Brooks was leaving for Norwich City. That would be nothing compared to the white-hot fury that would accompany Peck’s departure to the London Stadium.
Brooks joins Norwich for a reported fee of £8 million. Highly-rated teenager Lamine Sidibe is on the radar of Monaco. And according to the Sheffield Star, when it comes to the future of Sydie Peck, the Blades are bracing themselves in the expectation of further interest.
How much can be read into reports claiming that former West Ham loanee Kalvin Phillips is in ‘advance talks’ to re-join the club he represented in the second half of last season remains to be seen.
Peter O’Rourke claims that the Blades are ‘confident’ of a deal for the Man City misfit. Is Phillips’ impending return to the Steel City a sign that Peck might be the next to follow Brooks out the door?
The return of one midfielder could make the future of another that little bit more, well, flexible.
Manager Chris Wilder did not exactly boost the confidence levels when he admitted, towards the end of a massively disappointing campaign, that Sheffield United would probably have to cash in on a couple of key performers.
“I’s the same as it always is,” Wilder said. “If we have to sell a player or two, then we will do. As long as we don’t give them away. That’s my take on it.
“If we have to raise money, we have to raise money. And if that’s the case, that’s the case. I’m OK with that but we can’t develop these players and just let them go for nothing. We can’t buy players and let them go cheaply, or not at the right price for us.
“But the majority of clubs in this division are at the stage where we have to recuperate.”
Peck could help the Hammers rebuild after Mateus Fernandes exit
Peck is reportedly valued at around £20 million.
Born in Enfield and an England Under-20 international, Peck was a ‘colossal presence’ at the heart of Wilder’s midfield last term. Per BBC Sport’s Sheffield correspondent Adam Collier, the 21-year-old Londoner ‘exudes balance, awareness and stamina’.
He is, in truth, the sort of youthful, energetic, all-action presence West Ham might need following the inevitable departure of Mateus Fernandes Like the Portuguese playmaker, Peck is also just as effective snapping into tackles as he is breaking the lines with probing passes through the thirds.
He is also the second former Arsenal youngster linked with the Hammers this summer. Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry is reportedly a target after providing 23 goal contributions during Bolton Wanderers’ promotion campaign.
Now, Sheffield United will lose out on over £30 million’s worth of revenue following the end of their parachute payments. The sale of Andre Brooks – a young talent making significant progress – to a direct Championship rival feels like a direct result of that.
Wilder’s warnings turning into reality.
If West Ham decide to use some of that potential £80 million Fernandes windfall in a bid for Sydie Peck, well, an already doom-mongering Blades fanbase will be fearing the worst.
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