West Ham midfielder Soungoutou Magassa and West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo

Soungoutou Magassa and Nuno Espirito SantoTung Mahn (Breaking Media) and Imago

Soungoutou Magassa among three West Ham players whose stock has decreased this season

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Published on:

04 Oct 2026, 6:10 pm

West Ham United are well placed in their battle to immediately return to the Premier League.

Relegation last season caused a lot of uncertainty and a lot of summer turmoil at the London Stadium.

The likes of Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville, and El Hadji Malick Diouf departed for pastures new.

Nuno Espirito Santo brought in eight players during the summer transfer window as he looks for a squad capable to winning promotion.

Through eight Championship games, the Hammers have racked up 15 points and sit two back of table-toppers Swansea City.

However, not everyone is having the best time of it, and here West Ham Zone looks at three players whose stock has decreased so far this season.

Soungoutou Magassa

West Ham paid out around £17.3million to sign Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco in the summer of 2025.

The midfielder made 22 Premier League appearances in his first campaign, but was part of a side that ultimately dropped to the second tier.

There was hope Magassa could be a key part of the team fighting for promotion, but he has not played at all after a summer in which he tried to leave.

Crystal Palace were heavily linked with his signature, though a move never materialised, and it remains to be seen if Nuno integrates him back into his plans.

Joel Piroe among three West Ham players whose stock has risen this season

Oliver Scarles

Diouf's exit to Premier League side Brentord left a wonderful opportunity for Oliver Scarles to become West Ham's first-choice left-back.

However, the 20-year-old's form has been pretty patchy, and Nuno has opted for other options there.

Indeed, Kyle Walker-Peters - a right-back by trade - and summer arrival Morato, a centre-back, have been utilised there.

The Hammers also brought in Adama Boiro on a season-long loan from Athletic Club, but the left-back has been struggling with injury and has played just 13 minutes.

It looks like Scarles has some work to do to win back his spot, and it wouldn't even be a surprise if a January loan exit was on the cards.

Alphonse Areola

Alphonse Areola has had a topsy-turvy West Ham career, often finding himself in and out of the team.

There were reports that the experienced French goalkeeper had tried to force a move this summer, though those reports have been questioned.

Areola has been dealing with calf issues, though, and Mads Hermansen has taken ownership of the gloves so far.

It has been suggested that 33-year-old Areola could return to the squad when West Ham face QPR on Friday, though it feels unlikely Hermansen loses his first-choice spot.

Alphonse Areola