Less Than 100 To Go

10 June 2022

Less than 100 to go!
Hours that is, before the actual transfer window opens, you would have thought it was due to close by that date given the media feeding frenzy concerning 'transfers' that greets readers everyday. Perhaps the best way to approach what will be an incredibly important transfer window for West Ham United and those other clubs around the top six of the table is to mention who the club are either NOT interested in or those players who have already made it clear that they have loftier ambitions other than to play for 'little old West 'am'!

Next season will be the first without 'Mr West Ham' Mark Noble being the 'meeter and greeter' for what will be a significant number of new arrivals at the club, it is to be hoped that given the possible influx of Gallic players that someone will be able to provide the 'Franglais' Noble so eloquently provided over the years, how is your French Declan?

As club captain the responsibility of introducing new players to the club falls firmly on Declan Rice's shoulders, and with no disrespect intended to Nobs, Declan is already a known International commodity, far more than Mark Noble ever was, so in that respect the club's profile will have moved forward.

It should also be remembered that Rice has been schooled in the no nonsense Noble fashion and is unlikely to become a billy big bollocks type of leader, but he WILL attract more players to the Stratford Stadium than deal old Marky, a degree of influence that surely Rob Newman and David Moyes will exploit now Rice has officially become club captain.

So let's start with the definite No No's: Forget these players as, despite having shown previous interest, they are out of the club's range: Barbosa, Nunez, Raphinia, Schtik, Watkins will NOT be up front, Lingard, Phillips and Ward Prowse will NOT be in midfield and Tarkowski, Caleta Car and Ake will NOT be in defence.

We'll follow up later with who else WON'T be signing for the Irons, it is soooo much easier this way! - Ed