An opening day 3-0 loss to newly-promoted side Sunderland, a 5-1 thrashing to London rivals Chelsea, and a second round EFL Cup exit to Wolves. Graham Potter couldn’t have envisaged a tough start to his managerial stint.
The dust just settled on the transfer window, with many expectations ahead of the 2025/2026 season.
Many pundits had the Hammers as dark horses for the relegation battle. Even well-known offshore betting had enticing wagers on the London side going down. Will the new arrivals reshape the squad and address tactical and personnel shortcomings? We review the mixed bag of the transfer squad below.
A Review of the 2023/24 Season for West Ham
The Hammers started the 2023/24 campaign under coach Julen Lopetegui, with many hailing the appointment as a new dawn for the Hammers. Many viewed it as a shift from the pragmatic Moyes era and into a more possession-based, controlled style of football.
A few months in, a few cracks started festering. Defensive frailties, inconsistencies, and struggles to adapt to a new system became evident. By January, the board saw a sinking ship and decided to sack Lopetegui.
Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter was appointed in January with hopes of salvaging what’s left. It was a turbulent end to the season for the English manager, who saw the likes of Michael Antonio miss out for the rest of the season after a freak accident.
The Hammers ended the season fourteenth, above Manchester United, with 43 points. However, 11 wins, 10 draws, and 17 losses proved a disappointing return for the London side. But the board decided to stick with Graham Potter and revived the squad with new acquisitions heading into the new season.
The 2025/26 Transfer Window Overview
It was a record-breaking transfer window for the Premier League, with the spending surpassing £3 billion and setting a record-shattering £3.19 billion. It was a beehive of activity for the Hammers as they spent approximately £127.1 million on new players.
Moreover, we saw the high-profile departure of Kudus, Aguerd, Palmieri, Moore, and Kelly. Also, the club loaned out Alvarez, Cornet, and others. Antonio, Coufal, Zouma, Cresswell, and Fabianski were released after the end of their contracts.
We review some of the signings below. Will they make an instant hit or another bad purchase?
The Hits: Guaranteed Starters to Improve the Squad
Despite the intense pressure, co-owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren found themselves, we believe the following signings could prove shrewd business:
El Hadji Malick Diouf – Bargain of the Summer?
Following the departure of Emerson Palmieri and long-serving Aaron Cresswell, the left-back position needed a major revamp. The addition of the 20-year-old Senegalese left-back for only £19 million seems to have already hit the ground running.
Most West Ham fans have been impressed with his combination of attacking flair and defensive solidity. He is a fearless and intense tackler capable of winning possession back and launching counter-attacks. He could prove a bargain signing of the summer from Slavia Prague.
Kyle Walker-Peters – Experience+
A free transfer for a player of his experience and quality is excellent business by the board. He offers an immediate solution for the right back and right wing back slot. Additionally, his leadership skills at Southampton would prove impactful for the young defensive side.
At 28 years old, he’s entering his prime, with his pace and attacking capability complementing the attack. Also, he seems to develop a good partnership with England teammate Bowen on the right flank.
Jean-Clair Todibo – Playing from the Back?
It was a major coup for the club last season when highly sought-after French defender Todibo signed on loan for the Hammers. It was a statement of intent from the club and showed their ambition to taste European football again.
However, it was a mixed bag season for Todibo, who found himself a victim of an ageing defensive backline. But the club decided to make his loan move permanent. His qualities on the ball are evident and align with Potter’s possession-based system. It remains a question of time whether he will gain Potter’s trust after warming the bench in the early games.
The Misses: What Could Cost the Side
While some incomings were positive, the transfer window wasn’t without its disappointments:
Mohamed Kudus to London Rivals?
Selling a player of Kudu’s calibre for £55 million to a London rival is criminal. Kudus never hit the ground running at London Stadium, but possessed that killer instinct and creativity to take a game by the scruff of its neck. His departure leaves a void in the attacking threat, with the burden shouldered by Paqueta and Bowen.
Striker Situation: 32 and 33-year-olds?
Niclas Fullkrug came off an injury-ridden season that saw Bowen cover for most of the season as a forward. The Hammers needed a reliable backup, with a good hold-up game, a good injury record, and a good scoring record.Signing Callum Willson at 33 years old seems like another miss. Despite being prolific in front of goal, he’s another injury-prone player. The loan of Evan Fergusson further aggravates the situation.
