West Ham may be in the early stages of a new era, with a new manager, new style of play and bunch of exciting new players. But there still remains a sense of familiarity in east London.
The Hammers have made hard work of their Europa League qualifying rounds thus far, and they’ve been less than convincing in their friendlies. New boss Slaven Bilic was never going to come in and get instant results from a group of players so used to playing hoof ball over the last four years, but some fans are already growing frustrated with the fact that they’re having to worry about a third qualifying round second leg trip to Romania on Thursday. Just how has it come to this already?
One thing that appears to have remained from previous eras is the Hammers’ rotten luck with injuries. A season rarely passes without the Irons losing a key man to a long term lay off. Last year, injuries to the likes of Winston Reid, Diafra Sakho, Alex Song and Andy Carroll arguably prevented the east Londoners from keeping up their early season flirtation with a top six finish – they ended up in 12th.
And just a month in to their new season (the Europa League qualifiers started on July 3rd), they’ve already lost Enner Valencia for up to three months with a knee/ankle injury, while Andy Carroll isn’t scheduled in for a return to action until October. This leaves Slaven Bilic with just Diafra Sakho, Mauro Zarate and young Elliott Lee for options up front, which isn’t ideal when you’re faced with a Europa League schedule and an opening day Premier League meeting with Arsenal.
So it’s no surprise to learn that buying at least one goal scorer is Bilic’s main priority this month, as well as adding some extra strength to other areas in the squad.
So we asked Hammers fans to vote for the players they want signed the most before the summer transfer window slams shut. The results, unsurprisingly, aren’t exactly unexpected. Though they are very much on the cards to becoming reality if reports are to be believed.
Here’s the top five players Hammers fans are crying out for this month…
5. Moussa Sow
The Senegal international has been linked with a move to the Boleyn Ground, even before Enner Valencia’s injury last Thursday.
The Fenerbahce striker’s first team opportunities in Istanbul have been limited since the arrival of Robin van Persie and Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has reportedly identified him as the ideal man to come in and score some goals.
Bilic will know all about Sow’s ability from his time managing in Turkey with Besiktas and will no doubt have in mind the fact Sow has played alongside star striker Sakho for the national team, eliminating any fears of the two strikers failing to develop an understanding.
The fans also appear to have identified the pros of bringing Sow to the club, with 263 fans giving him a thumbs up in our poll.
4. Alex Song
Alex Song’s loan switch to West Ham raised eyebrows all over Europe last summer, and it wasn’t a surprise when the midfielder hit the ground running and bossed the Hammers’ midfielder during the opening half of the season. He was a key part of the side that occupied a top four spot over Christmas.
West Ham have made it no secret that they want to sign Song permanently this summer and with negotiations with Barcelona ongoing recent reports claim a deal is pretty close to being agreed.
With a Europa League schedule to negotiate alongside a league campaign, strength in depth will be vital for Bilic, and having an experienced midfielder like Song to call upon could prove vital for the Croat.
And West Ham fans are hopeful that Song will be donning the famous claret and blue next season, with a huge 342 giving him a big thumbs up.
3. Charlie Austin
Despite suffering relegation with QPR last season, Charlie Austin remains a much sought after striker who has been linked with the likes of West Ham and Newcastle this summer.
That’s partly down to Austin’s impressive tally of 20 Premier League goals last term, which ultimately proved that he’s a top flight striker and one that needs to continue playing at the level in order to boost his chances for England.
QPR are stubbornly holding out for £15million for Austin’s services and both the Hammers and Steve McClaren’s Newcastle have baulked at such a hefty price tag for a player with just a year remaining on his Loftus Road contract.
However, the Hammers claim to still have money in the bank for further reinforcements and despite trying to sweeten up the west London club with a £12million offer plus Matt Jarvis, may eventually give in and stump up the full asking price.
The Hammers faithful appear to be desperate for their club’s owners to do just that, with many on Twitter tweeting David Gold and demanding he does all he can to get Austin in claret and blue before the window shuts.
That’s reflected by the fact 360 fans voted him in as their third most wanted signing this month.
2. Javier Hernandez
Javier Hernandez’s Manchester United future looks to be in the balance after his unsuccessful loan spell with Real Madrid last term.
Old Trafford chief Louis Van Gaal hinted earlier this summer that Chicharito still has a part to play for the Red Devils, but you’d expect the Dutch boss to cash in if the right offer is put on the table for the Mexico international.
Tottenham are also thought to be eyeing a move for the striker, but reports this morning claim the Hammers have made an offer of almost £12m to tempt United in to selling.
There’s no doubting how much of a coup a signing like this would be for West Ham, and it would certainly signal their ambition of reaching the proverbial ‘next level.’
Just the fact the Hammers have been mentioned in the same sentence as the striker this summer has had the fans excited, and 413 Irons fans who took our poll voted him in as a player they really want to see signed before the end of the window.
1. Alen Halilovic
The Croation wonder kid has previously been labelled ‘the next Luka Modric,’ which means his reported imminent switch to the Boleyn Ground is a surprise to everyone across Europe.
The Barcelona midfielder wants to be playing regularly and the Catalan giants look like they’re going to let him leave the Nou Camp this summer in order to fulfil his needs. Compatriot Slaven Bilic is an admirer of Halilovic and looks to have moved quickly to get his man before anyone else hears of his availability.
West Ham have already signed midfielders Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini this summer but would have been mental to pass up the chance to sign Halilivic for just £5m, which is the fee they are reportedly paying Barcelona for his services.
So it’s no surprise 475 West Ham fans voted him in as the number one player they want to see in claret and blue by the end of the month. And if today’s reports are to be believed, they won’t have to wait too long – a deal is expected to go though by the end of this week!
