Julen Lopetegui and Guido Rodriguez at West Ham. Credit: Imago

Lopetegui gutted as Rodriguez transfer update emerges away from West Ham United

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

02 Dec 2024, 2:40 pm

Tim Steidten has been hounded by West Ham fans over his summer transfer failures since the window closed.

Many of the frustrations have been aimed towards striker Niclas Fullkrug, having been sidelined through injury since September, with the absence of Luis Guilherme also raising eyebrows.

Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have all fitted into Lopetegui's system seamlessly so far, but there is one name that fans are already looking to get off the books.

Guido Rodriguez, brought in on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Real Betis, was thrown straight into the starting XI but has since been labelled "disastrous" by Matthew Upson.

Despite a plethora of fans calling for Lopetegui to drop him to the bench, the manager stayed firm, hoping for him to improve, but it seems even the Spaniard has lost hope.

The Argentine was dropped for both matches against Newcastle United and Arsenal, seen as crucial games for the manager, seeing him come on as a substitute for a total of 19 minutes.

Julen Lopetegui to be disappointed by West Ham United transfer update

With all of this in mind, Lopetegui will be pretty disappointed to learn that Real Betis have denied any contact over a potential transfer ahead of the January window [Estadio Deportivo].

While it is understood that a move is not 100 per cent ruled out just four months after arriving at the London Stadium, it will come as a blow to those wanting to see him exit already.

Julen Lopetegui is off to a rocky start at West Ham United. (Credit: Imago)

Lopetegui has even gone as far as to start Tomas Soucek, Lucas Paqueta and Carlos Soler against the Gunners, but that did clearly not work out in the 5-2 loss in East London.

Lopetegui needs to find a solution to his midfield as soon as possible, for his own sake and the club's, and it is highly unlikely that Rodriguez is anywhere in the plans right now.

In other West Ham news, fans are surely spitting feathers after what Julen Lopetegui said about the 5-2 loss to Arsenal.

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