LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: A general view inside the stadium as Neal Maupay of Brighton & Hove Albion scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on December 27, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
West Ham United are apparently gearing up for a very big summer transfer window indeed. Julen Lopetegui needs to make substantial changes to the West Ham squad, after years of bad preparation from David Moyes.
As we previously reported, Lopetegui has been tasked with placing the Hammers back among the Premier League’s top six.
The Spaniard is said to be giving priority on strengthening his back four and the center-forward position in order to do that.
West Ham have achieved great success over the past four years, relatively speaking, and now Lopetegui faces the task of matching what Moyes achieved.
So with that in mind, it came as somewhat of a disappointment when it emerged yesterday that the 57-year-old Hammers boss will have a net spend budget of around £85-100 million this summer.
That may not seem like a lot of money given the number of new players we need to sign, but Tim Steidten assembled the current Bayer Leverkusen team on a very tight budget.
Additionally, the German and Lopetegui will need to put in a lot of effort to create a strategy that will allow the team to have a successful summer transfer window.
Six new hires are on their way to West Ham.
The fans of West Ham will all know exactly how difficult Lopetegui has it coming.
Lowering the squad’s average age should be one of his top aims. According to Transfermarkt, the average age of West Ham’s current roster is 28.2, making them the second oldest in the Premier League.
Lopetegui needs to get bodies through the door before thinking about anything else, especially since the London Stadium’s exit door is connected to up to 12 Hammers.
The former Sevilla manager appears committed to preparing his team for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Additionally, a report has detailed Lopetegui’s incredibly intriguing approach.
The Evening Standard has reported that this summer, at least six new players will be headed to the London Stadium.
It is my opinion that he should sign at least eight new players, if not more.
Fabricio Bruno seems to be the first signing of the Lopetegui era, but it’s obvious that the Spaniard and his accomplice Steidten have already identified a number of others.
It will be crucial for the former Wolves manager to add players that fit his system. Too frequently in the past, West Ham has acquired players that are terribly mismatched to the brand of football we play, especially under Moyes.
It’s time for a change of pace and a more methodical approach to talent acquisition. Let’s hope that every player Lopetegui secures this summer is a superb fit for his system in addition to being a quality talent.
