Richard Keys identifies ‘massive problem’ in new West Ham sale claim
West Ham supporters showed their frustrations with the hierarchy before the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Chants of sack the board were heard as fans lined the streets before the game, demanding that David Sullivan step down as West Ham chairman.
Frustration with the Hammers hierarchy has grown over the last 18 months, with the summer transfer window one failure too many for supporters.
West Ham fans were seen leaving the London Stadium after just 64 minutes in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham last week, and the exact same happened again on 20 September.
Richard Keys slams the London Stadium which puts off buyers
Graham Potter looks set to be sacked by West Ham after a run of one win in five games this season.
West Ham could look to Nuno Espirito Santos to solve their troubles, but it remains to be seen whether a change in personnel will get supporters back onside.
However, problems still need to be addressed across the club and its ownership.
West Ham’s training ground, Rush Green, has been run down for years now and needs an upgrade.
- West Ham moved to the London Stadium in 2016
- The stadium was originally built for the Olympics in 2012
- It has a capacity of 62,500 compared to Upton Park’s 35,000
The state of the training ground can often be a factor in convincing players to sign, and the facilities appear to have been holding the Hammers back for a while.
The move from Upton Park to the London Stadium in 2016 has come under fire in recent weeks, and with Sullivan potentially looking to sell, Richard Keys believes the ground would put buyers off.
Speaking on beIN Sports, Keys said: “I saw a piece this week about prospective buyers being put off by the arena. It’s a massive problem, that. It’ll never, ever be a football arena.”
- Read more: West Ham may be ‘forced to sack Graham Potter’ as senior sources speak out at London Stadium
Could new West Ham owners move from the London Stadium?
The Hammers have only been at the London Stadium for nine years.
Supporters have seen their fair share of ups and downs in East London, from David Moyes’ Europa Conference League-winning eleven, to their hopes squad of today.
Hammers fans have been demanding a change, with the stadium being consistently described as ‘too friendly’ in comparison to Upton Park.
Sullivan doesn’t own the ground and pays around £3million in rent a year for the Irons to play there.
There were plans to buy the stadium, but new owners could elect to build a new one instead if and when that day ever comes to fruition.
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