West Ham United have Graham Potter to thank – at least in part – after a new hero emerged in the form of Kyle Walker-Peters.
Over recent weeks, Walker-Peters has dislodged Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the West Ham United team and is proving worth his place.
Indeed, Walker-Peters played a key role as West Ham beat Everton when he helped tee up Callum Wilson’s dramatic late winner at the London Stadium.
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The right-back’s career here in east London had been a slow burn. Until coming into the team against Wolves, the 29-year-old had only made ten Premier League starts.
Former Hammers boss Potter was key in signing Walker-Peters and he’s the latest signing made under his watch who is starting to come good.
Upon signing for the club, Walker-Peters told West Ham’s official website: “I spoke to Graham. He was a big, big part of me making the decision.
“I’ve always liked his style as a coach and I think it’s going to suit me best.”
Walker-Peters the latest example of transfer success under Potter
Potter’s largely miserable tenure as West Ham manager does not yield much success.
However, the signings made during his relatively brief time in charge alongside former head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay could yet prove a key role in keeping the club in the Premier League.
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The signings of Wilson and Mads Hermansen did not fully convince, yet it’s now difficult to imagine West Ham even being close to a position where they might stay up without their respective contributions.
Mateus Fernandes, meanwhile, looked a little more exciting on paper, along with El Hadji Malick Diouf. Still, it was West Ham who took the risk on signing them – promising as they were – ahead of any other club.
Before a ball was kicked this season, the idea of West Ham simply staying in the Premier League would not have been deemed a success.
However, context is important and while it should also be said that the signings made under Nuno Espirito Santo in January have also helped, last summer’s transfer business is starting to look increasingly smart.
They have largely been a slow burn, but they are sparking just at the right time.
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