The verdict on West Ham’s summer signings

Article by Brandon Freeman

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With a reported total outlay of £34million this summer, Chairmen David Gold and Sullivan have certainly shown both their intent to vastly improve upon the nightmare that was last season and also their support for Sam Allardyce as West Ham manager. The owners most definitely deserve an enormous amount of credit for the work done this window, which in my opinion has been one of the best transfer windows I can remember. But whilst it may be difficult to evaluate some of our nine new signings having only seen some them in action three times in the Premier League, we have certainly seen enough to suggest that this season may be one to remember for West Ham fans.

Aaron Cresswell- Ipswich

For me the signing of Cresswell marks the end of a long struggle to find a left-back who can hold his own in the Premier League and become a permanent fixture in West Ham’s starting 11 for years to come. George McCartney and Razvan Rat brought good experience to the team but lacked the attacking ability that Cresswell posses and were far more prone to injury than Cresswell who played every game for Ipswich in the 2012/13 season. And having arrived for a fee reported to be in the region of just £4m it is clear West Ham have pulled off a terrific signing who I am convinced will go to play for England in the future.

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Carl Jenkinson-Arsenal

At right-back West Ham have also added another talented youngster who will offer great attacking ability down the wing just has Cresswell has done in his first few games for the club. Jenkinson will also provide excellent competition for both Joey O’Brien and Guy Demel who at the age of 33 may not have to much more to offer in the Premier League so Jenkinson’s arrival, albeit on loan, is sure to raise the standards of those vying for his position, whilst adding some much needed strength in depth to the hammers back-line.

Diego Poyet- Charlton

Diego Poyet is another young player who should excite West Ham fans with what he will have to offer in years to come. Having attracted attention from the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea it is clear that West Ham have brought in a real prospect. However with the arrival of Alex Song and Cheikhou Kouyate, Poyet may well find first team opportunities limited and may have to settle for being a player who makes his impact from the bench.

Cheikhou Kouyate- Anderlecht

Kouyate’s arrival at West Ham was a clear sign of the appeal that West Ham’s new project has, with the player reportedly rejecting the chance to join Valencia in order to complete a move to West Ham, and having also been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, this signing certainly merits being called a “coup”. Capped 11 times by Senegal, Kouyate has brought immense power and pace to the hammers midfield, and has become a fans favourite in his early days at Upton Park due to his tenacious playing style and powerful attacking runs which have excited fans at Upton Park many times since his arrival.

Alex Song- Barcelona

Song arrives at West Ham as undoubtedly our most high-profile signing of the summer, and although he hasn’t featured heavily in the Barcelona starting 11, Song should add some much needed leadership and experience to the squad. Having played alongside Barcelona legends Iniesta and Xavi, Song will also be instrumental in improving the game of those around him and could form a formidable partnership alongside both Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate in the heart of midfield.

Morgan Amalfitano- Marseille

Arriving as West Ham’s only deadline day signing Amalfitano is a player most fans have struggled to get excited about given our need to bring in a central defender on deadline day. But Amalfitano will certainly add some creativity in the wide areas whilst providing some serious competition for both Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing. Amalfitano doesn’t lack Premier League experience either having spent last season on-loan at West Brom where the French international scored some spectacular goals, most notably a magnificent individual effort against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Mauro Zarate-Velez Sarsfield

Mauro Zarate has certainly exited fans since his arrival at West Ham, arriving as somewhat of an unknown quantity, but certainly showed his striking abilities with a stunning volley against Crystal Palace. Zarate has also been given a huge chance to cement himself in West Ham’s line-up following Kevin Nolan’s shoulder injury , and fans will be hoping he can continue to show the skill and flair that he did against Crystal Palace and endear himself to West Ham fans this season.

Diafra Sakho- FC Metz

Like Zarate, Diafra Sakho arrived at Upton Park with a goal scoring reputation, having finished as top scorer in Ligue 2 last season with 20 goals. And Sakho didn’t take long to open his account for West Ham either, scoring his first goal against Sheffield United in the Capital One Cup. At the age of just 24 Sakho certainly has all the attributes to become a great goal poacher and will hope that the injury to Andy Carroll will mean he can move ahead of Carlton Cole and become a talisman upfront for West Ham this season.

Enner Valencia- Pachuca

Arriving as West Ham’s most expensive signing this season, the pressure certainly is on Valencia to hit the ground running and begin to pay back the faith shown in him by the owners. However, it may well take time for Valencia to adapt to life in the Premier League before we see the blistering form he showed at the World Cup. The Ecuadorian certainly had a tough start to life at West Ham by missing the penalty which resulted in Sam Allardyce’s side being knocked out of the Capital One Cup but will hope that he is given regular first-team football in order to settle into the league and avoid becoming another Premier League flop.

What is your verdict on the transfer business done by West Ham this summer, and which new arrival excites you most? Leave your comments below and follow our West Ham Twitter page @e_westham for the latest news and views, all things West Ham.

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