Frank Lampard has already said why West Ham should sign ‘quality’ player in January
When the January transfer window opens, West Ham will need to nail their recruitment or relegation could be on the cards.
West Ham were beaten 3-2 by Aston Villa on Sunday, and it was another game where Nuno Espirito Santo was questioned for not starting a natural centre-forward.
Niclas Fullkrug, who is set to leave the London Stadium next month, was left out of the squad, whilst Callum Wilson had to settle for a place on the bench despite assisting Jarrod Bowen for his goal against Brighton.
Nuno preferred to use Lucas Paqueta as a false nine, with Bowen and Crysencio Summerville deployed on either side of him as wide forwards.
Supporters are now debating whether the Hammers board should trust the former Nottingham Forest boss to get the recruitment right, and instead get someone else in.
Frank Lampard’s comments on West Ham target Haji Wright
In an attempt to fix their goal-scoring woes, West Ham have been linked with Haji Wright, the man with magic in his boots at Coventry City.
Wright has nine goals in 19 appearances across all competitions in 2025/26, despite not finding the net in his last eight Championship appearances.
Still, the 27-year-old has already showcased why he belongs in the Premier League, and he’s rated highly by manager Frank Lampard.
“Three goals, a constant problem, great quality finishing and great movement,” Lampard said of Wright after his hat-trick against Sunderland in March.
“He won headers and went physically toe-to-toe with defenders, and his work ethic off the ball was great.”
Lampard has also praised Wright’s personality off the pitch, arguably explaining why he would be an ideal fit for West Ham’s squad.
“He doesn’t say so much, but that’s him. He’s laid back and a really nice lad. He comes to work and does everything you want and he’s enjoyable to work with. My players don’t need to say too much. Some do and some don’t,” he added.
“Haji has a laid-back way, which is his nature, but he wasn’t laid back on the pitch today. And I have to say the way he moved and the way he won the penalty was high-level stuff from him.”
Why Wright could be reluctant to join West Ham
Coventry are on course to end their 25-year exile from the Premier League, and as it stands, are 12 points clear of third place Preston North End.
It would take an almighty collapse for the Sky Blues to throw away automatic promotion from there, and after losing in the play-off semi-final to Sunderland in 2025/26, Lampard’s men are more fuelled than ever to return to the big time.
On the flip side, West Ham are three points from safety in the top-flight and are in danger of swapping places with Coventry.
So, Wright could be reluctant to leave a club that looks destined to win promotion for one that could suffer relegation in 2026.
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