West Ham boss Graham Potter has greenlit an extraordinary move involving Everton but it’s one that could seriously backfire and even cost him his job.
Big and brave decisions need to be made at West Ham this summer.
And many Hammers fans feel that’s also true for the board over the future of manager Graham Potter.
West Ham sit 17th in the Premier League as a malaise which started under now Everton boss David Moyes – and got worse under Julen Lopetegui – continues under Potter.
Everton look to be a club on the rise under Moyes, especially with the move to the new stadium and money to spend this summer.
But West Ham have regressed badly and need to sell players to be able to buy due to PSR.
Both the Hammers and Toffees are already being linked with a host of transfer targets ahead of the window opening in five weeks this Saturday.
West Ham feel PSR pressure as it eases on Everton
West Ham and Everton have the two oldest squads in the Premier League.
So there is plenty of work to be done.
The Hammers have won just 13 of their last 52 Premier League games, going back to the start of 2024 – when their big decline began under Moyes.
Despite spending £155m after Moyes departed last summer, things have got worse not better.
Everton have been there, done that and got the t-shirt when it comes to spending lavishly with no reward.
Potter is under pressure already at the London Stadium.
Hammers fans have not liked what they’ve seen so far with just three wins from Potter’s 14 games.
He has made one signing in January, Evan Ferguson, which has proved a complete disaster.
Potter green lights extraordinary Everton move
Many supporters believe it could be a mistake to allow Potter to spend what little money West Ham do have rebuilding the squad when he may not be around too long.
Hammers chief David Sullivan originally wanted to appoint Potter on a six-month deal which would be reviewed.
Had he done that, there’s no doubt Potter would bot be retained this summer.
Ironically it was Everton who forced Sullivan to hand Potter a two-and-a-half-year deal with their own interest in the 49-year-old.
When the Friedkin Group missed out on Potter to West Ham, they went with Moyes instead.
Now Potter has given the green light to an extraordinary Everton move that could get him sacked.
Moyes’ name is still ringing in West Ham’s ears nearly a year after he left the club.
Not least because he wants Everton to sign as many as three Hammers players this summer.
The main one being West Ham favourite Tomas Soucek.
It was claimed claimed recently that Soucek is attracting interest from an ‘unnamed Premier League club’ – believed to be Everton – ahead of the summer window.
Potter sanctions Soucek sale that could get him sacked
And the club in question are willing to pay decent money and give the Hammers midfielder £120k per week to join.
Hammers News reported last week that Soucek to Everton was starting to looking inevitable after the big Czech was frozen out of the starting XI by Potter.
That continued in the dismal 1-1 draw with Southampton last time out.
Midfield duo Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye both look set to leave Everton as free agents this summer, as things stand.
It has been claimed that Moyes wants Soucek to replace them, as he looks to bring in big names he can trust with the added bonus that the former Slavia Prague man already has an understanding of his methods.
Moyes wants Soucek to be a real leader at Everton.
And sources have told Give Me Sport that Potter has given the sale of Soucek the green light.
The report states that Moyes is ‘determined to hold successful negotiations with West Ham for Soucek’.
It also makes clear Potter does not see Soucek as part of his plans moving forward and will sell to raise funds for new signings.
Given Potter’s already precarious position, this is a hugely risky move from the Englishman.
While Soucek’s lack of ability on the ball means he has had some detractors at West Ham, he has once again proved to be a key player this season with seven Premier League goals and one assist.
That is to add to the endless running and selfless donkey work Soucek does for the team.
Many West Ham fans feel the team is worse without Soucek.
That has certainly been proved as West Ham have lost six of the eight games that Soucek hasn’t started this season and only won one of them.
West Ham selling Soucek to Everton is a huge gamble
Many fans believe they would have been in a relegation battle this season had it not been for Soucek’s goals and hard working displays.
Selling players is a necessity for the Hammers this summer.
But letting Soucek leave for Everton is a seriously questionable.
The fact Moyes has done so well back on Merseyside is already piling pressure on West Ham’s owners and Potter.
Now imagine Soucek going to Everton and becoming a huge favourite – as he inevitably will – while West Ham struggle to replace his goals and positive influence.
It doesn’t bear thinking about.
And if West Ham don’t start strongly next season, it could genuinely end up costing Potter his job.
Because make no mistake the pressure will be on.
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