West Ham’s European dreams hinge on Graham Potter’s ability to overhaul a struggling squad amid financial constraints. With a 14th-place finish last season and a tight budget, is a top-seven push realistic? This article looks at their tactics, transfers, and betting odds going into next season.
West Ham United struggled for consistency during the 2025-26 season two managerial changes. The defence is having problems, and the attack is not working together. With just 11 victories during the whole Premier League season, only 4 of them came under Graham Potter, who replaced Julien Lopetegui in January. He needs players for his possession-based style. However, the current squad is not quite up to the job. Financial Fair Play rules also force them into a sell-to-buy scenario. With betting markets pricing West Ham closer to relegation than Europe, the path forward is fraught with challenges.
Graham Potter’s Rocky Start at West Ham
Potter inherited a team in disarray with major defence needs. Potter’s early results have done little to stabilise the ship. His tactical flexibility, honed at Brighton, clashes with a squad built for direct football. The Hammers conceded 62 goals last season, the sixth-most in the league, while midfielders Lucas Paquetá and Tomás Souček ranked among the Premier League’s most frequent foulers.
Potter proved he’s able to develop players and adapt systems at Brighton. Yet his Chelsea stint saw him reach a 38.7% win rate, which showed high-pressure environments can wreck his methods. He faces a similar test at West Ham. The board will need patience. Without immediate improvement, the club could face another mid-table slog.
Realistic Expectations Going Into the 2025/26 Season
A return to European qualification would require West Ham to improve by around 22 points compared to last season’s total. It’s a big ask, but not an impossible one. Recent seasons have shown that teams can make significant leaps. However, the Premier League is becoming increasingly competitive. It’s no longer just about the traditional “big six”—Newcastle and Aston Villa have shown consistent form over the past three years, and Nottingham Forest will be aiming to stay in the European conversation as well.
Bookmakers still see West Ham as more likely to finish in the bottom half than challenge for the title. According to various odds, their main competitors are expected to be Everton, Crystal Palace, Leeds, and Fulham. If you’re interested in betting markets around West Ham’s season, Oddspedia provides a list of reviewed bookmakers available in the UK, many of which offer welcome bonuses. Despite the tempered expectations, there’s still excitement building for next season—especially with Graham Potter getting a full pre-season and a complete transfer window to shape the squad and implement his ideas.
Critical Summer Transfers Needed
There are some significant financial constraints you should be aware of. A projected £30 million shortfall means player sales have to fund new signings. Those who may move out could include Edson Alvarez and Nayef Aguerd, while top earners such as Danny Ings and Lukasz Fabianski has left on free transfers. Tempting targets include Lille’s Jonathan David (free agent) and Burnley’s James Trafford (goalkeeper), but budgets are tight.
Central midfield is the priority. Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Bundesliga’s Angelo Stiller fit Potter’s profile for dynamic, technical players. Camara’s box-to-box energy and Stiller’s ability to dictate tempo would transform a midfield that currently lacks control. Defensively, a big signing in the millions would eat into funds, leaving little room for error in recruitment.
Wing-back reinforcements are also essential. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown, an aggressive ball-winner with seven goal contributions last season, would provide balance on the left. With Ben Johnson potentially developing on the right or a new right-back signing, this would complete a backline better suited to Potter’s fluid system.
Squad Strengths and Weaknesses
Jarrod Bowen (13 goals, 8 assists) and Mohammed Kudus provide attacking firepower, but the striker position is a concern. Niclas Fullkrug, 32, is a short-term solution. Some dynamism would be needed from a younger, mobile forward like Jonathan David.
On the defence side, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo are the current established center-back pairing, though reinforcements may be needed. A reliable right-back would also be crucial. However, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has been a liability after making six mistakes that resulted in goals this season. A reliable shot-stopper is non-negotiable if West Ham is to improve.
Midfield remains the Achilles’ heel. Potter’s system wobbles without a true controller or ball-winner. The set-piece quality of James Ward-Prowse, who spent the season on loan to Notthing Forest, masks his deficiencies in open play, and Soucek’s physicality does not suit a possession-heavy style. Selling Paqueta or Kudus for money would weaken the team even more. The key to progress lies in resolving this imbalance.
Long-Term Project, Not a Quick Fix
The rebuilding under Potter will take time. If you rush for Europe next season, you risk repeating Chelsea’s mistakes. A realistic goal would be laying the groundwork: Integrating youth and tactics, and looking for incremental progress. The 2025/26 campaign should be about stability without overreach.
