Julen Lopetegui transfer plea issued amid ‘worst’ West Ham United verdict. Lopetegui chose West Ham over a number of suitors
Frank McAvennie has pleaded with new West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui to “get rid” of the club’s current defenders and sign a completely new back four. The Hammers endured a poor season defensively, shipping 74 Premier League goals in the 2023/24 campaign.
And McAvennie – speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone – feels the current crop of defenders are simply not good enough and need replacing this summer.
“First thing he’s got to do is get rid of that defence and get more in, get a complete back four,” he said. “I couldn’t understand David [Moyes], because he’s so committed to defending and that’s the worst defence I’ve seen at West Ham – Dawson’s the best [defender] we’ve had in years. Collins was great because he just went and won the ball, he didn’t start messing about.
“These boys at the back [at the moment] are definitely not for me. I’d get rid of them, I’d get rid of Zouma, I’d get rid of all those boys.”
How bad have West Ham United been defensively this season?
The numbers paint a stark and unflattering picture of West Ham’s defence this season. Their 74 Premier League goals conceded in 38 games is an extremely disappointing total which becomes even more so when considering that the only three teams in the division to have shipped more are Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United.
In fact, second-bottom Burnley only conceded four more times than the Hammers in 2023/24. Julen Lopetegui has only been in the West Ham door for two days, but is already looking for new signings.
Hammers supporters will no doubt hope that Lopetegui can revamp the back line ahead of what they hope will be a fruitful 2024/25 campaign.
In other West Ham news, McAvennie blasted the Hammers for being ‘on the beach’ against Manchester City.
