Right now, West Ham United appear lightyears away from battling the likes of Newcastle United, Aston Villa and even Nottingham Forest for a place in the Premier League’s European positions.
But, while the tendency is to portray The Hammers as a club in need of multiple transfer windows and at least two seasons’ worth of rebuilding, the continent is full of clubs who bounced back from one poor campaign with a brilliant follow-up season.
One good spell of summer recruitment, and a change of atmosphere, can make all the difference. A pretty immediate difference, too.
Nottingham Forest, it should not be forgotten, finished 17th in 2023/24. The same position West Ham United find themselves despite fighting from a goal down to claim a draw against fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Graham Potter given some much-needed respite as Jarrod Bowen converted Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s assist in style.
Over in Germany, Mainz looked dead-set for relegation last year, and have spent much of this in and around the Champions League spots.
Across the Channel, meanwhile, a Strasbourg team who limped to a 13th place finish in 2024 climbed to within one single point of the top four as they breezed past champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Alsace.
Considering that West Ham will be hoping to emulate the dramatic turnaround of teams such as Strasbourg during Potter’s first full season at the helm, it feels somewhat fitting that two of Liam Rosenior’s stand-out performers have appeared on The Hammers’ summer wishlist.
West Ham United eye Strasbourg duo Dilane Bakwa and Emanuel Emegha
TBR Football reporter Graeme Bailey claims that Graham Potter’s side have sent scouts to watch rapid winger Dilane Bakwa since the turn of the year.
Free-scoring centre-forward Emanuel Emegha has admirers at West Ham too, Bailey exclusively tells Hammers News.
Bordering on unplayable in 2025, Bakwa has five goals and nine Ligue 1 assists from the right-wing. Emegha’s tally of 14 goals, meanwhile, puts him joint-fifth in the Golden Boot race behind the likes of Mason Greenwood and Ousmane Dembele.
Neither of the Strasbourg sensations would find the net during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain. But still, the confidence flowing through the veins of Emegha in particular is testament to the spirit former Hull City and Derby County coach Rosenior has instilled in a 22-year-old Dutchman who had never before hit double figures in a league campaign.
And considering West Ham’s well-documented struggles with centre-forwards – Niclas Fullkrug the latest who has flattered to deceive in claret and blue – Emegha’s unshakeable self-belief could yet be the most important weapon in his armoury if the former Sturm Graz hitman ends up following in the footsteps of Sebstien Haller, Gianluca Scamacca and co.
“I’m a striker who scares all defenders,” Emegha told Telefoot as Strasbourg defeated PSG for the first time since 2017.
“I can score with my left or right foot, I can score with my head and I’m fast.”
Emegha has shades of Alexander Isak as he’s labelled France’s fastest forward
As good as his word, Emegha has split his 14 league goals across both feet.
And, at a reported 23.4 miles per hour, the spring-heeled striker is officially the fastest forward in France’s top flight this season, ahead of Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the aforementioned Dembele.
With his rangy 6ft 5ins frame and explosive acceleration, Emanuel Emegha is nicknamed ‘Alsace’s Usain Bolt’ for a reason.
“[Emegha] is a cut above other number nines in Ligue 1 in terms of sprints, defensive sprints and sheer speed,” former Liverpool midfielder-turned-analyst Bruno Cheyrou tells the Ligue 1 YouTube channel, highlighting his work rate, his composure and his ability to pick the right finish at the right time.
“I can tell you that, when you have such a generous striker, it galvanises the rest of the team.”
Emegha idolises Victor Osimhen – a striker he has frequently been likened to in terms of style – but there is also an Alexander Isak-esque swagger to the way he moves and finishes. An elegant smoothness of movement which belies a gangly-looking frame, like a gazelle mastering the art of skiing.
Interestingly, Emegha has reportedly been identified by Newcastle as a potential Isak successor should the Swede be spirited away.
“I see Osimhen as the player I want to play like,” Emegha said a few years back, while playing in his homeland of the Netherlands. “He is my role model and I hope to emulate his career to be the best I can be.”
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