Technical director Tim Steidten had come under friendly fire after West Ham went a month without any signings before the capture of Crysencio Summerville.
It’s no exaggeration to say technical director Tim Steidten faced the biggest test of his time at West Ham so far in the four weeks.
And that includes David Moyes’ rather juvenile decision to banish Steidten from being around the first team at the end of last season.
After the signing of Max Kilman, West Ham went four long weeks without making any signings.
While that is not in itself out of the ordinary compared to some of the club’s Premier League rivals, the situation at West Ham this summer is rather unique.
The Hammers are on the hunt for eight signings as part of Julen Lopetegui’s major rebuild.
Of the three that had arrived up to a month ago, only Kilman is a guaranteed starter.
So the pressure was building on the German with each passing day. Especially as West Ham were perceived to be missing out on a host of reported targets in that time.
West Ham’s recruitment chief is probably one of the only technical directors in football who has their own dedicated terrace chant.
Questions started to be asked of West Ham technical director
‘Timmy Steidten’s magic’ can often be heard ringing out on concourses during Hammers matchdays.
That’s in appreciation of the German’s work getting Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez to West Ham when he first arrived at the London Stadium last summer.
Steidten is ‘euphoric’ at having full control at West Ham following the departure of Moyes.
But that brings the spotlight solely on him – and that is the price on the ticket.
Fans were perplexed when they saw video footage of Steidten with the team on their tour of the US.
And when Lopetegui confirmed Steidten was indeed still in Florida, that bemusement turned to anger among some.
There was even a claim that Steidten could be sacked if any more West Ham deals collapsed. That was given short shrift by the club when speaking to Hammers News, though.
West Ham have ended their transfer lull this weekend in some style, though.
Steidten aims subtle dig at West Ham doubters after signing
The capture of the brilliant Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from Leeds has raised eyebrows across football.
Steidten has bagged a 22-year-old rising star who was reportedly wanted by Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle to name but a few.
The Irons also look set to follow-up the Summerville signing with the captures of Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug and Argentina World Cup winner Guido Rodriguez.
A deal with Man United for Aaron Wan-Bissaka also remains on the cards.
The murmurings of the last month have not been lost on the Hammers’ technical director it seems.
Because Steidten appears to have aimed a subtle dig at his West Ham doubters after the latest signing.
In the same calm, calculated way he does business, Steidten has emphasised to media and supporters that he essentially knows what he is doing.
‘We continue to work efficiently’
And that the Summerville signing shows the value of patience and working efficiently.
“We’ve been monitoring his progress for a little while now and we couldn’t be happier to have completed the deal to sign him,” Steidten told the club’s website.
“This signing is another statement of intent from the club. With the support of the board, we continue to work efficiently to evolve our squad ahead of the beginning of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
“Adding young players with the pedigree of Crysencio will help us to reach our potential moving forwards.”
After the signing of Summerville many fans have taken to social media in support of Steidten saying ‘Let the apologies be as loud as the disrespect’.
While that may be a touch melodramatic, it’s worth bearing in mind the next time West Ham knee-jerkers feel their joints starting to twitch.
READ ALSO
EXCLUSIVE: West Ham issue transfer update and it’s Wan-Bissaka next
Club issues statement and director speaks on Fullkrug
Star who was Moyes’ biggest fan says players are talking about Lopetegui
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
