West Ham went into the transfer deadline day needing to sign multiple players in order to strengthen the squad ahead of the 2020/21 season.
A new centre-back, left-back, midfielder and a striker should have been a top priority for West Ham. These players were needed, especially as the club let go of Josh Cullen, Jack Wilshere and Xande Silva.
The squad was already in a weakened state as other first-team players like Roberto, Jordan Hugill, Albian Ajeti, Carlos Sanchez, Jeremy Ngakia, Pablo Zabaleta and Grady Diangana have already left the club.
It also looks likey that former record-signing Felipe Anderson will be leaving the club as well. Anderson is in talks to join FC Porto on loan, the Portuguese window does not shut until Wednesday. should the Brazilian leave it will leave the club with only one player capable of playing at left midfield.
With all these player out of the club, it leaves David Moyes in charge of a skeleton squad. There are only two strikers at the club. Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller are Moyes’ current attacking options. The main issue is they have different play styles. Antonio has been the main man, and Haller can not act as a natural replacement.
More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham
- Brighton vs West Ham predictions: Can James Ward-Prowse help end the curse?
- West Ham and two Premier League rivals made huge transfer stand
- Lucas Paqueta bet allegations discussed in West Ham and Man City transfer talks
- Bournemouth vs West Ham predictions: Premier League opener amid transfer chaos
- West Ham near Denis Zakaria transfer after final James Ward-Prowse bid
The midfield’s depth has also been significantly weakened. With Cullen and Wilshere leaving it only leaves ageing Robert Snodgrass and Mark Noble as back-ups to Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. Manuel Lanzini is also an option but is more attacking and has been very inconsistent recently.
The Hammers were hopeful of deals for a new starting centre-back. West Ham, however, failed with deals for Jonathan Tah, Moussa Niakhaté and Antonio Rudiger. There was hope that Fikayo Tomori would be joining the club on a season-long loan after a late move by the Hammers.
Unfortunately, the move fell through late on after the player chose to stay at Chelsea. The failure to get a defender through the door leaves the club with only three centre-backs at the club. Playing in a traditional defence that would still be risky, but Moyes is playing with three centre-backs at the moment.
In the current system, if any of the existing players in the first team pick up an injury, it could be devastating to West Ham’s season. There is still some time for the club to the right these wrongs as the domestic window does not shut until the 16th of October.
West Ham have been linked to many players in the Championship this summer. Said Benrahma, Joe Rodon (if he doesn’t join Spurs) and Rico Henry are all reported targets. The other positive is that Declan Rice has remained Hammer after a summer of rumours of Chelsea waiting to pounce.
The club are currently one of three to have made a profit during the transfer window. The other two clubs are Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion.