West Ham United in ‘Catch-22 situation’ after Evan Ferguson news
West Ham find themselves in a strange situation after they completed the loan signing of Evan Ferguson from Brighton.
First and foremost, the Irons have been in dire need of attacking reinforcements for years now, although many expected Niclas Fullkrug to be the one to change that.
After a slow start to life at the London Stadium, followed by a long-term injury, those hopes were quickly curtailed with Danny Ings left to shoulder the pressure of leading the line.
That need was identified over the winter with the addition of Ferguson on loan for the remainder of the season, but things may not appear as simple as they initially looked.
West Ham stuck between a rock and a hard place
The addition of Ferguson was needed at West Ham if they were to progress under Graham Potter, but with it being a loan deal, it provides a strange circumstance.
Ferguson will undoubtedly contribute for the remainder of the campaign with goals and all-round play, but at the end of that, there is every chance that the Irishman will return to Brighton, who will be strengthened by the fact Ferguson has been afforded regular game time and developed as a player.
It then puts Brighton in an arguably stronger position to rival the Hammers next season who may actually end up benefitting more long-term from the loan, than the Irons will in the short-term.
That is often the question with loan deals. Is the short-term gain worth the long-term development of another team’s player?
Same situation beckons for West Ham next summer
While the main focus has to be on the current season, considerations already need to be made for the summer and once again, the Irons will be looking to sign a striker with Ferguson returning to Brighton.
Should the Irishman impress on loan, Brighton will want to keep him and utilise him themselves. Should he flop, West Ham will not want to pursue a permanent deal.
So then what? Do the Irons chase another loan signing to benefit them in the short term? Or do they finally make a move to sign a striker capable of contributing for years to come.
It’s going to be largely the same situation for the Irons, and it will prove to be interesting to see how they opt to address it.