Transfers: Charting The Progress Of The Club's 2018-19 Signings

Following his appointment in May 2018, Manuel Pellegrini was handed a sizeable transfer kitty and the experienced Chilean was tasked with bringing European football back to East London. However, despite some initial promise, and a highly productive December, the former Manchester City boss could only guide the Hammers to a tenth place finish. He made several high-profile signings during the course of the campaign, and we take a look at the progress that some of these recruits have made since first arriving at the London Stadium.

Issa Diop

Despite being linked with a move away from the club this summer, Issa Diop remains a West Ham player, although he is currently fourth-choice centre-back. He's played just 207 Premier League minutes so far this campaign, although his initial impact on the Hammer's back-line was significant. The former Toulouse man, who commanded a club record fee of £22m, looked incredibly assured during his first season in the English top flight, however, a series of disappointing displays towards the end of the 2019-20 campaign has seen him usurped by Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena. The 23-year old was very effective under the previous regime, but he appears to have lost his way, and it's difficult to see him breaking back into the XI.

Felipe Anderson

There was plenty of excitement surrounding Felipe Anderson's arrival, with the Hammers hierarchy shelling out £34m for the talented wide-man. He shone during his first season in the capital, netting ten goals and registering four assists. However, his form has subsequently dipped, and he managed just a solitary goal throughout the course of 2019-20 campaign. The Brazilian joined FC Porto on a season-long loan at the beginning of October, however, he's barely featured, and has been largely restricted to outings in domestic cup competitions. He is currently suffering from a chronic lack of confidence, and it's hard to see him being given a second chance in the Premier League.

Lukasz Fabianski

Former Swansea stopper Lukasz Fabianski has proved to be an extremely savvy bit of business, and he has been superb since arriving at the London Stadium. He's played in every single Premier League game this season, and has four clean sheets to his name so far. He was instrumental in helping the Hammers to remain unbeaten throughout November, and although the recent defeat to Manchester United was a minor setback, Moyes' men can still be backed at 11/10 in the outright Premier League betting markets to finish in the top half this season.

Andriy Yarmolenko

The experienced winger has endured a frustrating time since arriving from Borussia Dortmund. He took a while to find his feet at this level, featuring just nine times during his maiden Premier League campaign. Last season, he played a pivotal role, and scored five times in 23 appearances. However, he's been kept out of the side by Jarrod Bowen, and has clocked up just 97 minutes so far.

Fabian Balbuena

Unlike Diop, Balbuena has largely managed to retain his form across the last two and a half seasons. Only eight West Ham players have accumulated more minutes this season than the former Corinthians man, and he has to be considered a bargain at just £3.6m.
It's been a complete mixed bag for the 2018-19 arrivals and whilst the likes of Jack Wilshire and Xande Silva failed to make an impact, the likes of Fabianski and Balbuena still have a hugely important role to play, and continue to prove their worth at the highest level. - Ed