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West Ham United has endured a dismal start to the season, with head coach Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten facing mounting criticism. Reports suggest friction between the pair, adding to the club’s woes.
Lopetegui joined the Hammers this past summer, a year after Steidten was appointed, but their efforts have yet to deliver positive results. Despite significant investment in top-tier players during the transfer window, West Ham appears to have regressed, leaving both Lopetegui and Steidten under intense scrutiny.
January Transfer Window Looms Large
The duo faces added pressure to address the team’s struggles in the upcoming January transfer window. Key players Edson Álvarez, Guido Rodríguez, and Niclas Füllkrug are reportedly unsettled, with Álvarez expressing a desire to join a Champions League club, Rodríguez unhappy at the London Stadium, and Füllkrug struggling to adapt to the Premier League.
Some analysts view potential exits as an opportunity for West Ham to reset. The trio’s underwhelming performances have drawn criticism, with calls for Lopetegui and Steidten to offload them to fund more strategic signings.
Calls for a Squad Overhaul
Álvarez’s disciplinary issues, coupled with Rodríguez’s lack of impact and Füllkrug’s poor start, have raised questions about their suitability for the Premier League. Selling the three players could generate over £50 million, a sum that could be reinvested in strengthening key areas such as a dynamic striker and a robust, ball-carrying midfielder.
Despite a summer overhaul that saw nine new arrivals, the Hammers’ squad still appears incomplete. This has raised concerns about Steidten’s effectiveness in the transfer market, with club chairman David Sullivan unlikely to tolerate further missteps.
Futures in Doubt
The ongoing struggles have placed Lopetegui and Steidten’s roles under the microscope. If the January window sees departures and a more successful recruitment drive, the pair might have an opportunity to rectify their earlier missteps. However, failure to turn things around could see both facing uncertain futures at the London Stadium.
West Ham’s season now hinges on swift and decisive action, both on and off the pitch, as the club seeks to reverse its fortunes.
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