Major fly in the ointment for Graham Potter’s grand plan to bring star back to West Ham. Graham Potter has a clever plan to bring a star back to West Ham but it is fundamentally flawed for one big reason.
West Ham’s last two results suggest Graham Potter is the right man to lead the club forward. The Hammers showed enough in their play to suggest Potter has and will evolve the team to the more modern, progressive style fans crave.
But there has also been evidence of clear defensive and structural improvements.
That being said what has also been abundantly clear is that West Ham still have a way to go to improve in all areas if they want to compete for Europe next season. It will require another sizeable squad turnover.
Perhaps not at the levels of last summer’s 21-player overhaul at the London Stadium.
If Potter and head of recruitment are to shape the team and squad as they want it – around young, hungry talent – then it won’t be far off.
Potter to pay for West Ham’s big spending
West Ham plan to make at least £100m in sales this summer. How far the club comes in over or under that depends on the fees they can fetch for the likes of Mohammed Kudus and a number of others.
It is widely accepted West Ham made a number of mistakes during last summer’s splurge.
The club’s owners laid the blame for that squarely at Tim Steidten’s feet, making it clear he oversaw all recruitment when announcing he had officially departed last month. One of those mistakes was quickly rectified by Potter.
The Englishman asked David Sullivan and Karren Brady to reach out to Nottingham Forest about bringing James Ward-Prowse back and cancelling his season-long loan.
Ward-Prowse has already established himself in the side on his return. Although it will be interesting to see what Potter does now Lucas Paqueta has returned to the fold following injury.
It is clear the manager thinks the Hammers made another poor decision last summer too.
Major fly in the ointment for Potter’s grand Aguerd plan. Because the big news out of the club today is that Potter wants to bring Nayef Aguerd back to east London.
The Moroccan defender has been the subject of much debate among Hammers fans. But there is a major fly in the ointment for Potter’s grand Aguerd plan.
And the Hammers boss may not even realise it.
A top source inside West Ham made the Aguerd revelation on Thursday with the statement ‘Our new manager rates him’.
With money tight at the club this summer, cynics might suggest Potter is being leaned on to take Aguerd back and save some money in the summer window. There is a logic to that of course.
West Ham are not immune to the restrictions of PSR.
And the Hammers are officially the sixth biggest spenders in the Premier League since 2022. Potter will be the man who pays the price for that.
So it’s frugal from the new boss to look to Aguerd to save some money.
Bringing Aguerd back to West Ham not that simple. The big problem for Potter, though, is that the player himself may not be so keen.
Some Hammers fans have been accused of having short memories regarding Aguerd. There is no doubt he struggled with the pace and physicality of the Premier League.
West Ham conceded a club Premier League record 74 goals when he was part of the backline.
Even more damning is the fact Aguerd fell out of favour with David Moyes in the second half of last season despite West Ham’s clear defensive issues. It seems some may have short memories about Aguerd’s own wishes too.
On leaving the London Stadium last summer, Aguerd appeared to make it pretty clear he had no intention of coming back.
Let’s revisit Aguerd’s farewell.
West Ham-owned defender Nayef Aguerd and his farewell post on social media. Aguerd made it clear West Ham chapter was closed
They are not the words of a man intending on returning to the club.
So Potter may need to rethink this one and sell Aguerd while his stock is high to bring in his own man.
“Today. I am taking on a new – challenge, but West Ham will always be a significant part of my career,” Aguerd said.
“The time I’ve spent here has been full of great memories and emotions, especially our unforgettable win in the Europa Conference League. This achievement will always be a significant passage in my career.
“I want to thank all the supporters for their constant support since arrived. Your passion and loyalty have been a big inspiration and motivation for me.
