West Ham finally listen to Mark Noble with move to sign star he personally scouted. Mark Noble has been West Ham’s sporting director for nearly two years and quickly shifted focus from transfers to the academy.
When Mark Noble brought the curtain down on his West Ham playing career after 550 senior appearances across 18 years, it was rumoured he would return in some guise. Sure enough Noble was appointed sporting director in the following January.
To some fans and sections of the media, it seemed like a PR exercise from West Ham’s owners to bring back the golden boy. Cynics suggested it would amount to nothing more than an ambassadorial role at the London Stadium.
But West Ham boldly stated Noble would ‘work closely in support of the manager, as well as working with the Board of Directors, providing input, advice, and assistance across all aspects of the football operation’.
It was stated the Hammers legend would play a key role in transfers, both in terms of recruitment and helping new arrivals settle in.
“This (role) will include Academy development, player recruitment, and player and staff wellbeing – with a particular focus on ensuring players both progressing through the ranks and new to the club are nurtured in the West Ham United football philosophy and values,” West Ham said in a statement at the time.
Noble soon realised Hammers Academy was true calling. Noble met up with fellow sporting directors across Europe to learn as much as he could about the role and particularly recruitment. But just six months in, he quickly realised it was not for him.
Noble transitioned to focus on the Academy becoming a bridge between emerging young talent, the first team and the owners. Specialist Tim Steidten was then brought in to look after recruitment.
While Noble still has his say on transfers, it is felt by many his suggestions have gone ignored in the past. If newspaper reports are to be believed anyway.
Now West Ham are finally listening to Noble with a move to sign a star he personally scouted. One of the sporting directors Noble met with when he first started his role was Paul Mitchell, then of Monaco and now Newcastle.
West Ham finally listen to Noble with move to sign star. He was invited by Mitchell to watch Monaco vs PSG and he was very impressed with centre-back Axel Disasi.
So impressed in fact Noble flagged French defender Disasi to the Hammers board.
Well it’s only taken two years, but now it looks like David Sullivan and co are finally listening to the Hammers legend. West Ham didn’t move for Disasi in the end and he joined London rivals Chelsea instead.
Noble recently revealed he remains very close with former Hammers assistant coach Enzo Maresca.
So a new claim from journalist Graeme Bailey carries plenty of weight. Disasi is not part of Maresca’s plans at Chelsea.
And Bailey has confirmed to Hammers News that West Ham are looking to sign the 26-year-old on loan with an option to buy in January. West Ham want Disasi and Chelsea open to deal
No Premier League club has conceded more goals than the Hammers this year.
And West Ham have the third worst defence in the Premier League this season.
That’s despite Steidten and Julen Lopetegui spending £87m on three new defenders.
Reports emerged last week that £32m signing Jean-Clair Todibo had a physical altercation with the manager at half-time against Arsenal.
It’s being claimed Todibo is demanding to leave if Lopetetgui isn’t sacked.
West Ham wanted to sign another centre-back in the summer. They even looked at the free agent market to do so but ultimately opted against it.
Now Bailey says the Hammers have set the wheels in motion on an initial loan and says Chelsea are open to letting the centre-back leave.
What that means for Todibo or Konstantinos Mavropanos remains to be seen. Although it’s been reported this week that Lopetegui has been ordered to make peace with Todibo and other disgruntled stars by West Ham’s angry owners.
