Paul Merson says ‘crucial’ decision can keep West Ham in the Premier League
West Ham are flirting with the idea of relegation to the Championship, and Paul Merson says one key element can keep them up.
On December 27, Hammers supporters were dealt further misery after West Ham lost 1-0 against Fulham, leaving them five points adrift of safety.
The Irons have pieced together a torrid run of form after failing to win any of their last seven matches, and it’s led to West Ham potentially sacking Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nuno was only hired by the club at the end of September after Graham Potter was sacked. However, since his appointment, the Portuguese has posted the worst points-per-game return of any permanent Hammers boss in Premier League history.
That surely points to him exiting the London Stadium if West Ham lose to Brighton on Tuesday, although the January transfer window could play a key role in that decision.
Paul Merson says West Ham must keep Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta
Truthfully, the Irons shouldn’t be fighting relegation with the quality they have in attack, most notably the presence of Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
Bowen has five top-flight goals in 2025/26, while Paqueta’s creativity is vital in the final third, with Paul Merson stating that the club must keep both players in January to stand any chance of surviving.
“Can West Ham hold on to Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen during the January transfer window?” Merson told Sportskeeda.
“That will be crucial to their chances of survival. If West Ham sell them before the end of the season, they are relegated!”
Merson also predicted West Ham to draw 1-1 against the Seagulls, and wrote: “West Ham were unlucky to lose to Fulham. I think they will fail to win again. A draw would do them no good though, still a bad result for West Ham.”
West Ham are not creating enough chances
A lot of problems need addressing in January, and fans will hope that West Ham’s hunt for a striker will end in them discovering a goal machine.
Ultimately, the Hammers need more firepower in the final third, as they currently rank 17th in the Premier League for expected goals (19.08) and joint-16th for goals scored (19).
Those numbers simply have to improve if their form is going to turn around; otherwise, they’re staring down the barrel of a Championship campaign.
Hopefully, significant January investment can be a catalyst for a change in form.
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