West Ham transfer tips

Last updated: 24th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

West Ham transfer tips

Zola: Out to keep his best players

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These are not happy times down at the Boleyn Ground, with the financial turmoil and relegation fears hardly the ideal ingredients for some festive joy. Tony Curtis looks at whether West Ham will be able to strengthen or forced to sell during the January transfer window.

How the new boys have done

West Ham were probably one of the first clubs to feel the pinch with only £5million being spent in the summer - and all that went on Swiss defender Valon Behrami.

Then manager Alan Curbishley also brought in Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson on a free, while Czech keeper Jan Lastuvka, David Di Michele and Herita Ilunga joined the Hammers on loan.

However Curbishley hardly had chance to see his new arrivals through the door, before he was on his way out.

In the case of Di Michele and Ilunga, they were only officially unveiled 24 hours before Curbishley resigned.

Whether Curbishley can be credited or criticised for the signings - and their subsequent performances - remains open to debate, with director of football Gianluca Nani having been charged with scouring the world for talent and Gianfranco Zola having since taken over the managerial reins.

Behrami and Ilunga, though, look to have been good bits of business as the duo have quickly established themselves in the Hammers backline.

Striker Di Michele scored two goals against Newcastle in just his second appearance, however he has struggled to find the net since and has had to settle for bench duties alongside Czech keeper Lastuvka, who has made a solitary appearance in the Carling Cup.

Eyjolfsson has yet to be seen in first-team action, although the Icelandic midfielder remains highly-rated.

Uruguayan left-back Walter Lopez signed just days after Curbishley's exit, although the 22-year-old has managed just the one game so far.

New West Ham boss Zola has subsequently added Diego Tristan to his squad, although the Spaniard has only been a peripheral figure at Upton Park since joining.

Tristan, on paper, looks a good signing with the former Spanish international having been one of Europe's top strikers - however a lack of fitness, form and goals in recent years have hampered him.

What they need

Goals, money, time and the chance to keep their key players... not too much to ask, then!

With owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson looking to the sell the club after the collapse of the Icelandic bank he held a stake in, the chances of Zola being handed funds seem unlikely unless a buyer can be found quickly.

That has not stopped a number of players being linked to the club, including Sebastian Giovinco, Giampaolo Pazzini and Marek Hamsik.

However Zola is more likely to find himself fighting to keep hold of his leading players.

Dean Ashton, Matthew Upson, Nigel Quashie, Craig Bellamy, Rob Green and Behrami are all believed to be attracting interested. But there are no guarantees Gudmundsson will reinvest the money in a club he is looking to offload.

Zola, himself, needs time to turn the club around and stamp his mark on the side - although he does seem to be making his mark.

Up front, West Ham are lacking the goals they need to pull clear of danger. They have failed to score on eight occasions and only netted two or more goals in the league four times.

What they'll get

Unfortunately very little unless Zola and Nani can wheel and deal. If a new owner can be found before the transfer window shuts, though, then West Ham may well be able to invest in the likes of Giovinco, Pazzini and Hamsik.

Free agent Stephen Appiah has consistently been linked to the club and could well be tempted to finally sign.

Should the club lose some of their key assets then Zola can only hope he is given the funds to reinvest.

Fan's view - Bobby Hunt

West Ham United should buy a natural goalscorer and the answer to that would be Michael Owen.

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Comments (1)

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Ross Murray (West Ham United fan) says...

West Ham need a player exactly like Diego Tristan, only 5 years younger. If we can hold onto Bellamy then he needs to pair up with someone like Gudjohnssen (Barcelona) or Crouch. Look how well he did with Shearer at Newcastle. I'm afraid Carlton Cole just doesn't have the talent for the premiership. We need to hold onto the likes of Green, Upson, Parker and Bellamy. If not we might as well settle for fighting relegation, something i'm sure Zola would not be willing to do

Posted 02:42 28th December 2008
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