Unlike other transfer windows, it seems West Ham United have hit the ground running in January and are determined to get their deals done. In previous windows the Hammers have been trailing other clubs who have got their own business done early. Something of a relief, of course, as there are key areas in which West Ham are devoid of Premier League quality.
Comments from our high ranking source at the club suggests the ownership of the club is working flat out to bring players in: However, that in itself begs the question, where is Technical Director Tim Steidten? Normally it would be his domain.
Last Summer, Steidten had a very high profile, leaking or advising ( depending on your viewpoint ) via his favoured in-the-know-journos, news of up and coming deals, and being pictured on the executive jet with new signings. Nothing on the radar for Steidten at present. We will have to suspend judgement until the signatures come onto any new player contracts and look closely to see who is taking credit for the transfer.
As Gonzo covered yesterday, rather worryingly we’re told Lopetegui ‘will have input’ which hardly sounds as if he’s going anywhere in the next few months.
Forgive my negativity, but it sounds as if the Irons are repeating the messy Summer recruiting process when all three of Sullivan, Steidten, and Lopetegui had their own ‘pet’ player projects which meant all three brought players in – Lopetegui though, obviously hadn’t read the script and didn’t use those he felt were forced upon him. Have West Ham learned nothing for the messy Summer window – surely the Head Coach just coaches the players, the Technical Director recruits and the Chairman runs the business side of the football club.
Maybe not at West Ham. With a tiny budget and many plates spinning at the moment regarding free signings, loan signings and player plus cash exchanges, it sounds pretty chaotic. Which , If I remember correctly is exactly why Shareholder Daniel Kretinsky brought Tim Steidten in, to oversee player recruitment. Not much sign of that now. Curiouser and curiouser.
