West Ham United’s decision to sell 28-year-old for just £9 million now looks simply ridiculous. West Ham United have made some really questionable transfer decisions throughout the years.
This summer just gone saw nine new players arrive at West Ham, whilst 12 left the London Stadium on a mixture of permanent and loan deals, and free transfers. Julen Lopetegui replaced David Moyes in charge of the Hammers in the summer, but there is apparently already real tension behind the scenes at the club after our poor start to the season.
The West Ham head coach oversaw some questionable transfers, alongside Tim Steidten of course, and it isn’t clear yet what he’s actually trying to do on the pitch. His team lacks any kind of footballing identity, and it’s obvious to see that we are miles away from being where we need to be.
Julen Lopetegui, Manager of West Ham United, reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham. However, it will take time to see some genuine progress in my opinion, such was the sheer size of the squad overhaul in the summer.
And there was one player who left the London Stadium who Lopetegui might well be wishing that he had kept hold of now…
West Ham clearly made a Thilo Kehrer howler
Thilo Kehrer has been in fine form out in France this season. Since leaving the London Stadium, the 28-year-old has made it very clear in no uncertain terms that David Moyes was to blame for his failure to succeed with the Hammers.
And since swapping East London for Monaco, the Germany international has really come into his own.
West Ham sold Kehrer to Monaco in the summer for €11 million (£9 million), after he spent the previous five months on loan in the principality (Claret and Hugh).
Whilst that might have seemed like the right move at the time, it now looks like a poor decision, especially given our struggles defensively. Lopetegui definitely could do with someone like Kehrer at the club now.
Not only has he been the best performing centre-back statistically in Europe’s top five leagues this season, but he has also earned rave reviews from the French media for his performances for Monaco.
Monaco-Matin have raved about Kehrer during a piece solely focused on the German.
“He speaks seven languages.“
“He can talk to anyone in the locker room.”
“I think the most important thing is that he now really plays in one position,” analyses the same source to explain this consistency in performances. He can play in the centre, on the right, on the left, in a defence of four, in a defence of three… But he is more comfortable in the centre.” “He likes life here, he feels good with the coach, his partners… Right now, everything is perfect for him.”
The mere fact that Kehrer can speak seven different languages is proof enough that we should have kept hold of him! West Ham signed nine new players in the summer. Three were English and the other six were all of different nationalities.
Thilo Kehrer could have been the glue that held the melting pot of different nationalities and cultures together in the West Ham dressing room. Don’t get me wrong, he was far from great for us, but there was definitely a player in there somewhere, and I just feel like the Hammers gave up on the 28-year-old far too soon.
