West Ham United urges to sign new players in ‘fast and furious’ season
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes West Ham need to bring in new players this summer in order to allow the young players at the club to develop properly.
The pundit expects manager David Moyes to continue giving youth a chance in pre-season, but cannot afford to do so when the new season starts.
The Hammers finish their pre-season schedule with a match against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday (5 August), before opening their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth a week later.
One youngster that has already been moved on temporarily is Freddie Potts, with the midfielder having joined League One club Wycombe Wanderers on loan for the new season.
The Hammers are yet to bring in any new players this summer, a situation that McAvennie believes must change before the new campaign gets underway.
The East London outfit have had a strong interest in Southampton ace James Ward-Prowse, but their efforts have been unsuccessful thus far, as per Dharmesh Sheth (1 August).
They could, however, complete the double signing of Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay, with medical checks underway for the Manchester United pair [Alan Nixon, 4 August].
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “Moyes is going to give these players a chance, but going into the Premier League, I don’t think they’re quite ready for that, week in, week out. It’s fast and furious.
“And then there are cup matches and European nights, so I don’t know if their bodies will be ready for that.
“That’s why you have to bring in new players, to let the youngsters come into the first-team in their own time, rather than needing them straight away and needing them to play well. It puts a lot of pressure on young players.”
In other West Ham news, a journalist has mooted an exit for one star who isn’t “entirely enamoured” with London Stadium life.