Tim Steidten is driving new West Ham moves for duo Ian Maatsen and Youssouf Fofana in a big shift away from the David Moyes policy.
West Ham fans have been left scratching their heads over who is dictating the club’s summer transfer window business.
Disappointed with many of the signings in recent windows, West Ham co-owner David Sullivan appointed Tim Steidten as technical director with overarching responsibility for recruitment and transfers.
David Moyes welcomed the German to the club, saying he was looking forward to working with him.
But Steidten’s arrival has, in these early days at least, muddied the water over Moyes’ position when it comes to transfers and indeed at the club long-term.
West Ham’s scattergun approach to the summer window looks to be proof that the mix of Moyes and Steidten is already jarring.
Tim Steidten driving new West Ham moves for duo Ian Maatsen and Youssouf Fofana in big shift away from David Moyes policy
On one hand the Hammers are being linked with older and/or established players such as Harry Maguire, Joao Palhinha and Scott McTominay.
They are players a club does not need a highly paid and regarded technical director to unearth. Especially one with the nickname ‘the pearl diver’ as a result of his talent for identifying talent.
Meanwhile there are links to players Steidten has reportedly recommended including Denis Zakaria, Jonathan Tah and Habib Diallo.
It’s hard to imagine a meeting of minds between Moyes – who likes to scout players over months by watching – or having them watched – live and Steidten – who uses data to identify whether a player has the attributes needed for that team, system and league.
Well now Steidten is driving new West Ham moves for duo Ian Maatsen and Youssouf Fofana in big shift away from the Moyes policy.
German ‘driving the interest’ but is Moyes on board?
And it’s much more like what the Hammers need in a refreshing and welcome change.
According to The Guardian, moves for Chelsea-owned left-back Maatsen – who shone on loan at Burnley last season – and Monaco’s France midfielder Fofana are Steidten’s idea.
“Chelsea have not made a decision on Maatsen’s future and the 21-year-old has made a positive impression on the head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, in pre-season,” The Guardian reports.
“However Chelsea also have Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Lewis Hall and Maatsen could be forced to look elsewhere for regular football.
“West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten, has shortlisted Maatsen and they could make their move if Cresswell departs… (West Ham) are tracking the Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana. Steidten is driving the interest in Fofana.”
Steidten approach will reap greater rewards for West Ham if they get it right
Hammers News has long called for West Ham to adopt an approach more in line with the Red Bull model when it comes to transfers and recruitment.
Young, talented players with pace and energy, spotted and signed for the first team before they really start to attract the attention from elsewhere.
Whether that’s plucking them from an inferior league or team or taking a player whose pathway to first team football is blocked at an elite club.
That approach comes with an element of risk that signing a Ward-Prowse or Maguire perhaps doesn’t. But the rewards will be far greater in the long run if West Ham get it right.
READ ALSO
BBC journalist’s exciting claim about new talks between Man City and West Ham over deal.
Midfield ‘monster’ red herring for West Ham as conflicting claims made over imminent deal.
Report: ‘Ruthless’ Moyes wants West Ham trio out in overhaul built around star.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
