How Dominic Calvert-Lewin could have been a West Ham player instead of at Leeds United
West Ham turned their noses up at the chance of signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he was a free agent last summer.
That is according to Hammers News, with the publication stating that West Ham‘s owners deeply regret that decision more than six months after he signed for Leeds United on a three-year deal.
Last summer, back when Graham Potter was in charge, the East London team signed the likes of Mateus Fernandes, Jean-Clair Todibo, and El Hadji Malick Diouf for just over £90million, but their attack wasn’t, arguably, sufficiently bolstered.
West Ham brought striker Callum Wilson to London Stadium on a free transfer following his exit from Newcastle United, but when it became apparent he needed more assistance in attack, the Hammers brought in forwards Pablo and Taty Castellanos in January.
Now it has emerged why West Ham decided against moving for Calvert-Lewin, who has proven to be an excellent acquisition for relegation rivals Leeds.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin may not have worked at West Ham as Graham Potter takes blame
West Ham currently sit 18th in the Premier League, six points behind 15th-placed Leeds, but, more importantly, just two adrift of 17th-positioned Nottingham Forest.
While Wilson is West Ham’s second top scorer with five goals, captain Jarrod Bowen leads the way on eight. Over at Leeds, former Everton man Calvert-Lewin has 10 Premier League goals.
If he was at the Hammers, perhaps they would be in a better position this term. So, why didn’t West Ham sign the England international?
According to the “most senior” spokesperson for West Ham’s owners, Potter played his part in that. However, when he was sacked, and Nuno Espirito Santo took over in late September, the former Wolves boss was adamant that they needed more quality up top.
Now West Ham’s owners have conceded they regret listening to Potter and snubbing Calvert-Lewin only for him to be the difference-maker at Elland Road.
“Yes we regret not signing Calvert-Lewin, especially on a free transfer,” the spokesperson said. “But Mr Potter didn’t want a forward and would not let us sign or buy one.
“Nuno came in and immediately identified that he wanted two and it has helped us massively.”
Calvert-Lewin’s goals this season may be the difference between keeping Leeds up and sending West Ham down. However, there is no guarantee that he would be a success at West Ham.
Things went downhill for Calvert-Lewin towards the end at Everton as they didn’t play to his strengths. Leeds are now doing that in spades. Plus, they have carefully built up his minutes and managed his game time.
Under Nuno, West Ham like to hit teams on the break, more often than not, and that isn’t really Calvert-Lewin’s style.
For him, Leeds has been the perfect move but it may not have worked out at the Hammers.
What are West Ham’s next fixtures amid relegation battle?
West Ham looked down and out just a few weeks ago but a big upturn in form has given them a chance of beating the drop.
A total of three wins in their last six games, including two draws, has seen them close the gap to safety, with Nuno finally getting a tune out of the Hammers.
Winger Crysencio Summerville’s form has been key to that, with the former Leeds man scoring six goals in his last eight games in all competitions.
Arguably, West Ham should be out of the bottom three had they not thrown away a 2-0 lead at Chelsea and a 1-0 advantage over Manchester United.
Next up, they travel to Champions League-chasing Liverpool on Saturday afternoon. On 4 March, they are away at London neighbours Fulham, before returning to FA Cup action at home to Brentford in round five of the competition five days later.
Subsequent clashes with second-placed Manchester City and third-positioned Aston Villa follow later in March. This is a tough stretch for the Hammers but if they want to stay up, they, arguably, need to win at least one of these.
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