The Sphinx Has Spoken - The Facade Mask Lifted

The illusion has finally been put straight as the ‘Czech Sphinx ’, Daniel Křetínský, has spoken for the first time since taking over as a majority shareholder of West Ham United.

Křetínský spoke to The Times in what is a rare direct interview with the Czech national. The Billionaire spoke about West Ham’s overall situation but briefly dumbed it down to the players, the finances and the ambitions of the club.

"We have a very credible strategy”

"What matters is funding, strategy and consistency. We don't need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.

"Key players are waiting for us. They want to see there is a real chance of keeping the squad together. We have spoken to all of them. They need to see that our project is real and serious. Promotion is our only goal."

The crucial aspects of the statement simply put the record straight, West Ham United do not need to sell. We have been told over the past decade that we always need to recoup, well, all of a sudden, Hammers fans are now being told the opposite.

“Key players are waiting” - the goal is simple: retain the squad, add a handful of players to improve as well as replace those who wish to leave, but overall, keep the majority tight and rise above all to promotion.

Whilst the Hammers may not need to sell, Daniel Křetínský’s £90m investment, which is expected to be put in before July 1st, simply will not be enough to put the Hammers in the green for the long run; a lot more work will have to come.

Spend low, invest well.

But these investments are not in players. West Ham have been used as a ‘cash cow’ previously by the owners to the point where the club became unsustainable and started to spiral. Křetínský will have to be willing to sacrifice making a profit at West Ham for a handful of years, but as time passes, the story might change.

Promotion to the Premier League will see West Ham earn upwards of £150m+ in revenue overall, and with £90m pumped in, that places the Hammers in a position of comfort rather than worry, but still red rather than green.

It’s a tricky situation, but it’s a positive to hear refreshing news - however, that won’t be the last of it before July.