West Ham are about to embark on arguably the most important January transfer window for 15 years as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to save the club from relegation but you wouldn’t know it.
It was clear for all to see that West Ham’s summer business was nowhere near the level required.
Especially as the Hammers Premier League rivals went about breaking the record for the amount spent in a single window.
Money does not always buy success of course – but it certainly helps.
And generally speaking, the league table roughly translates to the teams who spend the most and pay the biggest wages.
West Ham’s squad, a squad Nuno Espirito Santo inherited, is desperately short in key areas and lacking in any kind of depth in others.
Window offers West Ham hope of Premier League survival
The most obvious weaknesses are arguably in the most important positions – up front and in defence.
West Ham needed a powerful, pacy striker in the summer but only signed the ageing, injury-prone Callum Wilson.
What would YOUR ideal January transfer window look like? 💰
And which changes would you make to our XI?
The free agent signing has been pretty good value overall thus far, but Niclas Fullkrug’s departure to AC Milan means signing a forward in January – and getting it right for a change – is an absolute necessity if West Ham are to stay up.
The same could be said about signing a new centre-back.
The Hammers have been linked with England Under 21 defender Charlie Cresswell and it is easy to see why.
Between them, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos either don’t like or want to head the ball.
And there is a serious lack of leadership among the trio too.
Cresswell is not only good in the air, he thrives on winning aerial duels and has leadership qualities, as he showed when helping England Under 21s win the Euros in the summer.
Then there’s the worrying lack of back-up for Jarrod Bowen, who looks exhausted having carried West Ham on his back for the last two years, and Crysencio Summerville – whose end product has been shocking.
That would explain why Nuno has been linked with Adama Traore ever since arriving in east London.
Given West Ham have been in the relegation mix all season, supporters are fully expecting the club to have targets lined up ready to come in as soon as possible when the January transfer window opens in eight days.
Especially as the club embarks on its most winnable run of fixtures over the next six weeks.
After all, West Ham’s Premier League lives depend on it.
Nuno makes ludicrous transfer window claim
So Nuno has raised eyebrows — and tempers — after making a transfer window claim that many West Ham fans will find utterly ludicrous.
West Ham have had the best part of six months to prepare for the January window.
That’s how long it has been obvious they would be in a fight for survival.
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Does he have a point or is he simply deluding himself?
With Fullkrug having left, one would assume signings are lined up ready to come in the moment the window swings open.
But now the head coach has made a baffling claim that should spark real concern given the club’s precarious position.
Speaking to the press ahead of the crucial must-win game against Fulham, Nuno says he has not even thought about transfers yet.
In fact, the Portuguese states he will only start thinking about possible signings when the window actually opens.
“Now is not the moment to really focus on and speak about it,” Nuno told the media in his pre-Fulham press conference.
“But the club is working.
“When the transfer window opens, then we can assess it.”
Nuno’s transfer stance could relegate West Ham
This is gravely concerning to hear and it could ultimately cost West Ham their Premier League lives.
By this stage, signings should be readied to come in on January first with every single game and point vital.
And if signings aren’t ready to come in, then the Hammers should have targets A, B, C and D identified for each position Nuno needs to strengthen.
With rivals already lining up deals and West Ham desperately needing reinforcements, waiting until the last minute risks leaving the Hammers short, exposed and chasing the market.
In a season where new additions are needed perhaps more than any other since West Ham were last relegated in 2011, this is tantamount to negligence.
Nuno’s approach suggests yet more poor planning from West Ham in terms of recruitment.
Except this time it could have serious far-reaching consequences for West Ham that go beyond this season with the club about to announce record £100m losses.
If you fail to prepare then prepare to fail.
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