Hammers technical director Tim Steidten has shared a promise he made to Luis Guilherme about West Ham’s transfer plans.
It was only 10 days ago we got a stark reminder of just how fickle modern football can be at West Ham.
West Ham spoke out to defend technical director Tim Steidten after reports he was ‘under pressure’ amid struggles to get deals done over in Brazil.
The vast majority of West Ham fans are extremely grateful to have Steidten leading the club’s major squad overhaul.
Being a technical director heading up recruitment and transfers in the modern game is far from easy.
Just ask Mark Noble who quickly realised he was not cut out for that role just a few months into his job.
Six months later West Ham’s majority owner David Sullivan hired Steidten after his departure from Bayer Leverkusen in search of a new challenge.
Steidten impressed everyone last summer when he brought Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez to West Ham from Ajax for a bargain £72m combined.
Steidten showing what he can do with full control
Steidten has spoken of his ‘euphoria’ about having ‘full control’ of West Ham’s scouting and transfers from this summer.
Now he has landed coveted Brazilian teenage sensation Luis Guilherme in a £25m deal from Palmeiras.
It will be the first of many signings this summer given new head coach Julen Lopetegui only has 18 senior players – including Guilherme – in his squad.
Some fans have been concerned by reports that the club only has £100m to spend, though.
With another six or seven signings needed, the question being asked is how will the Hammers be able to sign the number of quality players needed if they only have an average of around £13-15m to spend per signing?
Well it seems Hammers fans need not worry, because the club really is in the midst of a brave new era.
That’s after some very encouraging words from the horse’s mouth so to speak.
Steidten’s promise to Guilherme about his transfer plans
Steidten has shared his promise to Guilherme on West Ham’s transfer plans.
And it seems West Ham are about to finally get their own version of the famous Red Bull model under Steidten.
Because when selling Guilherme his vision, the German reveals he made a pledge to the Brazil Under 20 star that he will be surrounded by lots of other exciting young players this summer.
“Luis is obviously still very young, but we have no doubt that he is ready to make an impact in the first team here,” Steidten told West Ham’s website.
“He is coming to a great environment, where he will be surrounded by other exciting young players and good people who will support him every step of the way.
“We will look after him, help him and his family to settle in and allow him time to adapt. But we are very excited about his immediate potential and are looking forward to seeing the progress he can make at West Ham United.”
West Ham Red Bull at last
Links to a host of players aged between 18 and 25 show Steidten is very much looking to completely transform West Ham into a team full of young, vibrant talents.
West Ham managers of the past such as David Moyes and Sam Allardyce have tended to pay lip service to bringing through young players.
The odd minute or two at the end of a game with no jeopardy in it or a start in a dead rubber at the end of the season.
It doesn’t fool the fans and it doesn’t fool young players either, many of whom have left for other clubs due to a lack of a genuine pathway to the first team in recent years.
Now Steidten and Lopetegui clearly plan to make the Hammers a team full of young talent.
It looks like there’s a bright future ahead. And not just for a one-off season but many seasons to come given the profile of player West Ham are going for.
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