West Ham End of Season Analysis: Goalkeepers

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 14: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUNON SUNDAY OUT) Adam Lallana of Liverpool comes close during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on May 14, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 14: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUNON SUNDAY OUT) Adam Lallana of Liverpool comes close during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on May 14, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) /
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STADIO OLIMPICO GRANDE TORINO, TURIN, ITALY – 2017/05/14: Joe Hart of Torino FC is on his knees during the Serie A football match between Torino FC and SSC Napoli. SSC Napoli wins 5-0 over Torino FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
STADIO OLIMPICO GRANDE TORINO, TURIN, ITALY – 2017/05/14: Joe Hart of Torino FC is on his knees during the Serie A football match between Torino FC and SSC Napoli. SSC Napoli wins 5-0 over Torino FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

First Team players to sign?

Another issue with goalkeepers is that because there’s only one per team, when a good one becomes available they are in high demand. So whilst I have a target in mind, a Premier League winner is hard to get unless you are very committed.

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Joe Hart is very likely to leave Manchester City this summer. He has spent the last season on loan at Torino after being told by Guardiola that he was not the type of keeper that suited his ideal side. But there’s no doubt that he will want to stay in the Premier League next season if possible.

The reason West Ham might have a chance is that the teams above is that none of those are particularly interested. Arsenal, Chelsea, United and Spurs all have first choice keepers. Everton are the only other team who could really compete, and they are very interested in signing Pickford.

A keeper like Hart would be a big improvement and a huge step towards the European challenge we want. However he is unlikely to come too cheap, and that kind of money may put the board off. The club currently don’t have enough funds to spend 20m+ on each position every transfer window.

Next: Fans call for Martinez to get first team chance

But if the Hammers are to improve, they must look at Hart like a solid target. Any less of an improvement is unlikely to be significant, and any money is likely to be a waste. This is the level West Ham need to aspire to.