Irons Ins And Outs Starting Soon!

The season has barely finished for most clubs and transfer wheeling dealing is already extensively underway, West Ham of course are one of Europe's 'elite' teams who still have a trophy to play for. It may be the much derided Conference Cup but ask Jose Mourinho how highly he values the 'useless cup'?

Sourpusses Roma are in the final of the Europa League Cup this season. They gained access to the Europa League NOT as a result of their League placing but because they won the 'Con Cup' last season! So it might be belittled by others, but then again they are not in the final are they?

There is a fifty fifty chance that Hammers can actually win something for the first time in over 50 YEARS! So things aren't looking too bad, however 'sensible' transfer activity is an absolute must if the club is to progress, that includes lucrative player sales and canny player recruitment with the funds generated.

We are of course referring to the Declan Rice transfer, word has it that Thomas Tuchel is extremely keen on bringing Decs to Bayern Munich in Germany and so are we! Seeing Rice running out on the pitch for the Gooners would be heart breaking, annoying if it was for Man Utd and only just about tolerable if it was for City, far more preferable for Hammers fans would be Decs playing abroad and who knows maybe return to the club after 3 or 5 years, he would still be in his prime then and would be welcomed back with open arms by ALL fans.

Other less high profile activity is already in place with contract extensions and contract 'run downs' kicking in to place within the next few weeks. It is important that the club use the Rice money wisely. One player alone cannot replace the Hammers mercurial captain, it will take two players who can be cherry picked for each game to fill the inevitable gulf that will be left, but it can be done.

The Rice situation kind of sorts itself out due to the incredible demand for his services, for some other players the situation looks more bleak and a lot less certain. First we should examine who has been allowed to run down their contracts without seeking or being offered a new contract or a contract extension.

Oldies first! Aaron Cresswell HAS been offered and accepted a further one year deal which makes perfect sense, he is definitely NOT the player he once was, but he can still do a job against SELECTED opposition and is a good presence in the dressing room, he is also on low wages by Premier League standards and as such a one year deal suits all parties.

Lukasz Fabianski is another to be offered a one year deal, although it has been made clear to the 37 year old Pole that he will be playing as the number two keeper in a role reversal with Alphonse Areola who has bided his time and performed immaculately in the club's European exploits, again a deal which makes perfect sense. The club hAS three up and coming keepers on it's books but they all need another season before the could become proper number two keepers, so Fabbo's extra year will give them that extra bit of time they need to bed in before he retires.

Next up of the old boys is the Og, Angelo Ogbonna might be a yard or so slower and does have the odd playing ricket in his game, but come on what a stoic performer he has been and still is for the club. David Sullivan, not generally known for his generosity, insisted on giving the Og a further one year's contract at the beginning of the season NOT knowing if the Italian was ever going to recover fro his SACL injury, an injury that used to mean career over for much younger players, rumour has it he HAS been offered a new contract but is yet to confirm his acceptance because he has to run it past his 'trouble and strife' first, wise man indeed!

Finally we reach Vlad the impaler Coufal, he has returned back to his combative and rigorous best since his op and definitely warranted the TWO year extension he has received, a true warrior that the club needs, let him do the dirty stuff while the crowd swoons over Pacman's skills, chalk and cheese.

Tomy Soucek's contract can automatically be triggered by the club so there is no danger of him choosing to leave, UNLESS a huge offer from Europe comes in for him. He is admittedly a shadow of the buccaneering player he was when he first arrived at the club, BUT once Declan Rice has moved on to pastures new Big Tom will probably be given more freedom to surge forwards and utilise his incredible heading ability, let's face it he is relatively useless with the ball at his feet and his passing leaves a lot to be desired, but as a battering ram at corners and in advanced plays there are few better in the Premier League.

In the next article we will look at the 'troublesome' transfers and there are PLENTY to discuss! - ED