Another year, another defensive rebuild incoming at Premier League underachievers West Ham United?
The nature of West Ham’s crushing, last-gasp defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion last time out not only cemented Graham Potter’s side as the ‘best of the worst’ – 17th and only escaping a relegation battle due to the sheer incompetence of those below – it also ensured that The Hammers now have the second-worst defensive record outside of the bottom three.
As Max Kilman allowed Kaoru Mitoma to drift off his shoulder and head home, moments before Carlos Baleba was given the freedom of the Amex to curl past Alphonse Areola, West Ham’s backline has now been reached 58 times in just 34 matches.
Konstantinos Mavropanos follows up every step forward with a major stumble in the other direction. Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and Emerson Palmieri could all depart, with West Ham inviting offers for the former Chelsea man.
Furthermore, the jury remains out on both Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, even if Potter is convinced the £36 million signing from Nice will come good. Suggestions that Kurt Zouma could return from a spell in the Saudi Arabian wilderness and re-establish himself at the heart of West Ham’s defence – whether they are true or not – rather sums up the predicament Potter finds himself in.
So, depending on what decision Real Sociedad make over the coming weeks, could there still be a role for Nayef Aguerd at the London Stadium? Could the Moroccan return after a year out in Spain and help plug the leaks?
Or has that ship long-since sailed?
Real Sociedad keeping Nayef Aguerd option open with West Ham United
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, speaking exclusively to Hammers News a few weeks ago, explained that Graham Potter wants to hand Nayef Aguerd a second chance.
However, that olive branch is unlikely to be reciprocated by a footballer who clearly didn’t settle in the English capital.
There is no option-to-buy clause in Aguerd’s Real Sociedad contract, or indeed an obligation. Yet, president Jokin Aperribay insists that all options are on the table at this moment in time. Talks with Aguerd – who set The Hammers back £30 million when joining from Rennes in 2023 – are expected to take place in the coming days or weeks.
“We’ll see. We’re not in that conversation yet. We haven’t spoken,” Aperribay tells Radio Marca. “We’ll see if he can stay or not.”
Knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United and sitting a lowly tenth in La Liga, this has been one of the poorest campaigns in recent La Real history.
La Liga outfit conflicted as Graham Potter faces Aguerd frustration
Aperribay suggests, however, that the more experienced members of the squad – Aguerd among them – may be key to bouncing back next term while acting as mentors for a host of Basque-born up-and-comers.
On the other hand, having turned 29 in March, it is not really La Real’s style to invest heavily on a player already at his peak.
“The important thing is for Real Sociedad to find its best competitive structure on the pitch in the coming years, so they can compete for the next few years,” the president adds.
“We are starting a new book, which relates to youth and the future. The first chapters of books aren’t the best. You have to complete several chapters to get to the end. What we have to do is build.
“The core group of players, they’re already 27, 28, or 29 years old. We have to learn to plan to achieve sustained performance. That doesn’t mean you’ll always achieve the goal you set for yourself.
“We have veterans. Mikel Oyarzabal, the captain and centre- forward, is one of the most experienced we have, like [Igor] Zubeldia . We pair them with Aguerd or [Aritz] Elustondo, who are also veterans.”
Nayef Aguerd not featured for Real Sociedad since suffering an injury in early April. The 55-cap centre-back has, however, been one of the bright sparks in a difficult campaign, seemingly well-suited to the slower pace of La Liga football.
Even if La Real opt to stay away from a permanent deal, meanwhile, a return to Britain feels unlikely.
“Potter would love to bring him back as he thinks he could fit [into his plans],” Bailey explains. “But the player does not want to come back to England.
“The lad just doesn’t want to be in England, nothing to do with Potter.”
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