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West Ham Calamity XI of the London Stadium Era

By Henry Tomlinson

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Sébastien Haller of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sheffield United at London Stadium on October 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Sébastien Haller of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sheffield United at London Stadium on October 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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Midfield

Left-midfield: Sead Hakšabanović

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Jeff King of Bolton Wanderers tackles Sead Haksabanovic of West Ham United during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers at The London Stadium on September 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Jeff King of Bolton Wanderers tackles Sead Haksabanovic of West Ham United during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers at The London Stadium on September 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Sead Hakšabanović was always a player people wanted to see more of during his time at West Ham. Signed by Bilic, Hakšabanović’s signing was linked to the transfer of Marko Arnautovic, and he failed to live up to the expectations.

None of Bilic, Pellegrini or David Moyes thought he was good enough to be given a proper run in the team, leading to his departure from the club after only two first-team performances. Hakšabanović is now playing his trade in Sweden and is producing some decent performances as he looks to get his career back on track.

Centre-midfield: Carlos Sanchez

Now here is a calamity signing if there was ever one. Sanchez will most likely be the captain of the side as they battle to stay in whatever league they find themselves in. The Columbian was signed on very high wages by Pellegrini. He was meant to come into the side to strengthen the team as they looked to hold onto a result.

The opposite tended to happen and the Hammers looked weaker with the defender in the side. Sanchez has been at fault for costing the side points on multiple occasions. The 34-year-old has had more haircuts then good performances during his time at the club. The one positive is that he has spent much of his time at the club injured, meaning he could cause less damage to the team.

Centre-midfield: Jack Wilshere

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Jack Wilshere of West Ham United in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between West Ham United and Fulham at Craven Cottage on July 27, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Jack Wilshere of West Ham United in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between West Ham United and Fulham at Craven Cottage on July 27, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

When Wilshere was signed on a free transfer from Arsenal he has given a contract worth £100,000 per week and it is safe to say that the Hammers have seen no return on that investment.

Wilshere was known for his injury history and for West Ham to take a chance on someone with his background was complete insanity in hindsight. The Hammers have always seen players pick up injuries when they join the club and Wilshere was no different. The 28-year-old has only managed one goal and one assist in 18 appearances for West Ham in two years.

The club will likely try to move on the former England international due to his high wages and search for a replacement from the Championship.

The Englishman used to be a fantastic player but has seen his career wrecked by continuous injury problems and for that the boyhood West Ham fan finds himself in this team.

Right-midfield: Gokhan Tore

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Gokhan Tore of West Ham United looks on after going to ground during the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on August 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Gokhan Tore of West Ham United looks on after going to ground during the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on August 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Bilic’s golden boy. Tore was wanted on a permanent basis by Bilic to play on the right-wing and bring pace and creativity. It did not work out and spent the majority of his loan spell injured before being sent back to Turkey.

Related Story. Does Manuel Lanzini have anything left to give West Ham?. light

Despite his shortcomings the are two positives from his time in London. One is that he was not bought permanently and the other was getting an assist for Michail Antonio’s winning goal in the first Premier League game at the London Stadium.

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