For Tarkowski Read Balbuena

Suggestions West Ham United will return with a substantial bid for Burnley's James Tarkowski are wide of the mark, since a purported move to the London Stadium didn't materialse during the last transfer window, the England midfielders form has dropped off a cliff. In and out of one of the Barclays Premier League's relegation candidates team, ostensibly through 'niggles' picked up in training, Tarkowski's stock has plummeted.

The £50 Million price tag Sean Dyche placed on Tarkowski was always going to be too excessive, but in the light of the continued financial crisis being experienced by ALL clubs, the price being demanded is looking increasingly ludicrous! Burnley will be ruing their turning down of West Ham's £35 Million offer, and West Ham will be realising that they have dodged yet another expensive bullet.

Fate, as is with many transfers, kicked in when Issa Diop tested positive for Covid-19 just before the League Cup game, his place was taken by 'the General' Fabian Balbuena, since then Balbuena has started all games in all competitions and has been puttting in performances that equal or surpass those of Tarkowski's.

Balbuena's contract is up at the end of the season, and it would be complete and total madness if the club don't renew it before the January transfer window. David Moyes would admit himself that he thought Balbuena's days at the London Stadium were numbered, however the Paraguayan's recent showing has led to the Hammers manager changing his mind, and got him thinking if Tarkowski is even as good as Balbuena.

Many fans thougt that several players would be on their way out once David Moyes took over as 'full time' manager, among those who seemed destined for the chopping block were Authur Masuaku, Aaron Cresswell and Fabian Balbuena, now each one is a starter in his prefered 3-5-1 line up.

Hammers dodged a bullet by not signing Tarkowski, and the funds ear marked for the deal can be used much more effectively throughout the team, the recent signing of Vladimir Coufal being a case in point, great player, inexpensively purchased and on wages that won't break the bank.

Cutting your clothes according to your cloth has been a mantra ignored by West Ham for ages, now it seems the penny has finally dropped, The Irons are not a top four team and probably will never be so, but that isn't to say the club can't become the best of the rest, however, not splashing out huge sums of money on individual players is a pre-requisite for moving forwards! - Ed