West Ham have opened up on the winter window, Tim Steidten’s exit and the club’s vision for the summer transfer window.
- Hammers News exclusive
It’s fair to say this has been a wasted season for West Ham.
The Julen Lopetegui appointment proved to be a disaster made worse by the fact West Ham fans didn’t want him in the first place.
The Hammers have taken the scenic route to appointing a manger who would have been much more appealing when the club was replacing David Moyes.
Graham Potter has breathed new hope and life into the team within a month.
But with no Europe, no hope of Europe, no real threat of relegation and being out of both cups, West Ham have little but league position and pride to play for in the last 14 games.
While far from ideal, it does give Potter a rare opportunity to use the next four months to identify what players he wants to keep, who he wants to ship out and where he needs to strengthen.
A big part of the latter will be working closely alongside West Ham’s new head of recruitment Kyle Macauley.
All change and fresh hope at new-look West Ham
The Hammers paid Chelsea £1.2m to reunite Potter with Macauley.
Demoted technical director Tim Steidten left the club with his departure being officially confirmed yesterday.
West Ham fans are happy with a marked improvement in performances and approach under Potter so far.
His options have been seriously limited by a glut of injuries.
So West Ham fans were disappointed when the transfer window closed with the club making just one signing – and a straight loan at that.
Evan Ferguson has arrived in a ‘dry loan’ from Brighton.
Some Hammers fans feel the fact it is only a loan shows a lack of ambition.
Others think it is a sensible approach given his injury history over the last year or so.
But it does expose West Ham to the risk of another club signing Ferguson if he does well in east London.
James Ward-Prowse has been brought back from his Forest loan.
While many feel that is a positive move, it was in lieu of West Ham signing the young, powerful box-to-box midfielder most feel is needed.
Some Hammers fans disappointed at lack of window business
West Ham’s window was essentially cut in half by the change in manager and head of recruitment.
The West Ham board has been criticised for a lack of spending in the winter window.
Potter actually spoke out last week to state it was him who was resisting making signings as he wants to make sure he gets the right players and characters rather than bringing in bodies for the sake of it.
That has echoes of Moyes. But that’s no bad thing given the superb job the Scot did in east London.
And the big difference under Potter is the profile of player that will be targeted is completely different – as is the style.
Amid the criticism of the window, Macauley’s appointment, Steidten’s departure and the signing of Ferguson, Hammers News discussed the situation with the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners.
West Ham have responded on the window, Steidten’s exit and the summer transfer vision.
As soon as Macauley was appointed, the profile of player being linked with West Ham changed overnight.
Gone were links to big name, ageing journeyman, replaced by exciting young stars many fans may not have heard too much about.
West Ham respond on window, Steidten’s exit and transfer vision
Hammers fans crave the kind of savvy recruitment Brighton have become famed for.
Getting young, talented players in before elite clubs and building a team around them, existing academy talent and the odd experienced head.
And it seems that is what Potter and Macauley are planning to do.
Speaking about the window, recruitment and future plans, West Ham confirmed attentions have already turned to the summer window.
“Yes it was a difficult window given the upheaval,” the West Ham spokesman told Hammers News.
“The focus will be on younger players going forward which is a positive,” the senior contact said when asked what Steidten’s departure means for recruitment.
“There’s no rest now as the planning already starts for the shortened summer window.”
That last point is a salient one which could play a huge part in which clubs are successful in the summer market.
Because Premier League clubs have agreed for this summer’s transfer window to close much earlier than normal, on August 15th.
That’s a day before the new 2025/26 season begins.
Although it was reportedly agreed between the 20 Premier League clubs, that is yet to be officially ratified or announced.
As things stand the summer window will close on August 29th – but that is expected to change with clubs losing two full weeks in which to do business.
West Ham will have to have their ducks in a row then and it seems fans can finally expect the rebuild around young talent that they’ve been promised for years.
Despite feeling enthused by Potter’s appointment – Hammers fans will believe it when they see it.
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