By Conor Hogan

West Ham are in genuine trouble and are now strong contenders for Premier League relegation this season.

Although we have yet to reach 2026, the outlook is bleak for Nuno Espírito Santo’s Hammers, who sit 18th in the table, five points adrift of safety.

What is arguably even more worrying is the fact that West Ham’s relegation rivals appear to have far more fight in them. Leeds and Nottingham Forest have both given Manchester City competitive games in recent weeks, while Forest even stunned Liverpool with a 3-0 victory at Anfield. By comparison, the Irons look short on belief when it matters most.

It is an unsettling time to be a West Ham supporter. Despite there being some genuine quality within Nuno’s paper-thin squad, the Portuguese manager has been unable to turn improved performances into the points desperately required for survival.

Yet amid the gloom, there has been one clear positive under Nuno: the midfield he has assembled.

The trio of Freddie Potts, Soungoutou Magassa and Mateus Fernandes have been excellent in recent weeks and, in truth, have often been let down by those around them. 

All three offer composure on the ball, bite in the challenge, and intent in possession. Just as importantly, their energy – all are aged 22 or under – has been refreshing in a side that has too often looked leggy and predictable.

After enduring midfields built around the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Guido Rodríguez and Andy Irving, it has been a genuine pleasure to watch a unit capable of playing with tempo, mobility and purpose.

Even the much-loved Tomáš Souček, so dependable for West Ham over the years, has naturally lost a yard and now looks more effective when introduced from the bench – a reflection of how the midfield dynamic has shifted.

However, as relegation looms ever closer, a harsh reality is beginning to set in: the risk of losing this midfield core.

If West Ham are relegated come May, it is possible that Freddie Potts would be retained to play in a Championship division he would surely be too talented for – but players of Magassa and Fernandes’ quality will likely seek a move away.

For that reason, I’d urge fellow Hammers fans to enjoy these players while we can. Despite the struggles of the team as a whole, Fernandes and Magassa in particular have been a joy to watch.

Just as with players like Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, supporters should not take genuine quality for granted. There is a very real possibility that this season could be their last in Claret & Blue.

Of course, in the midst of a relegation scrap, it is difficult to fully appreciate individual performances. But West Ham’s emerging midfield has been one of the few bright spots in a dark campaign – and sadly, it is being let down by far too many others associated with the club.