Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will drive technical director Tim Steidten loco as he launches a West Ham hijack.
You could not get two more contrasting approaches to transfers than the methods of Chelsea chief Todd Boehly and West Ham’s Tim Steidten.
It is a case of what might have been for West Ham as Boehly was linked with a Hammers takeover before his consortium bought Chelsea.
While West Ham fans might have liked seeing the kind of money invested that Boehly has ploughed into Chelsea, it is how it’s been spent which has drawn criticism.
Boehly has given a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘scattergun approach’. Both in the transfer and managerial markets with his actions at Stamford Bridge.
Greedy Chelsea look to stockpile again
At West Ham, coveted German technical director Steidten – who reportedly came close to joining Chelsea before Thomas Tuchel’s sacking – takes a much more considered approach.
Partly because the resources available are not as plentiful. But also because of a clear plan and structure ahead of a big summer rebuild at the London Stadium.
West Ham have been linked with a host of players with almost all areas of the side and squad in need of reinforcement.
While Chelsea have the biggest squad in the Premier League, West Ham’s is the smallest. Julen Lopetegui is inheriting just 16 or 17 players so eight or nine new arrivals are needed.
Signing new full-backs is seen as crucial to any new-look West Ham side.
Chelsea have hundreds of millions of pounds worth of talent at both left and right-back.
So Boehly will drive Steidten loco as Chelsea launch a West Ham hijack.
Boehly will drive Steidten loco with hijack
Back in January Steidten held talks with Ligue 1 side Brest about signing flying left-back Bradley Locko.
The Hammers target formed part of the fourth-best defence in Ligue 1 as Brest made history by qualifying for the Champions League.
Locko is blessed with excellent pace and his power as an attacking outlet makes him an ideal modern full-back. Just what West Ham have needed for many years, especially with ex Chelsea man Emerson Palmieri’s form dipping worryingly last season.
West Ham did not do the deal in January and it has since come to light that David Moyes did not want any of Steidten’s signings, insisting instead on bringing in calamity Kalvin Phillips.
According to Give Me Sport, greedy Chelsea are so scared of losing out to West Ham or another Premier League rival for Locko, they’re going to try and add him to their stockpile of players.
That’s despite not having a manager at the moment and the possibility that any new boss may not fancy Locko.
“Chelsea have been keeping tabs on Locko, according to GMS sources, as they are strongly considering whether to acquire a new left-back to provide stiff competition for Ben Chilwell – who is still reeling after being left out of the England squad for Euro 2024 – and Marc Cucurella ahead of next season,” the report states.
Still hope when ‘Super Tim’ is involved
“Although Manchester United have also been linked with the 22-year-old, while West Ham United and Newcastle United have also started to take notice, the west Londoners have set their sights on fighting off additional suitors by reaching an agreement with Ligue 1 outfit Brest in the coming weeks.”
The report states Brest are actively looking to cash in on Locko for £25m.
When Steidten wants a deal, more often than not it gets done. You only have to see his work last summer with Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and Konstantinos Mavropanos as proof of that fact.
So while ‘Super Tim’ – as West Ham fans call him – is on the case there is still hope for the Hammers despite Chelsea’s interest.
Whether Locko can be convinced that game time is more important than the bumper pay he will likely be given by the Blues is another matter entirely.
