Exclusive: Potter Urges Owners to Sign Two Key Players to Revitalize West Ham

West Ham United had only one training session under Graham Potter before their FA Cup clash against Aston Villa.

 

Despite limited preparation, the first half of the match showcased the Hammers’ best performance in a year.

 

Expectations were high as Potter’s immediate impact was evident, with West Ham leading 1-0 at halftime in a game many anticipated they would lose heavily.

 

However, the game shifted in Villa’s favor due to injuries to Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville.

 

The Irons eventually fell 2-1, exiting the competition.

 

Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives for West Ham fans to take from the match.

Just a few days later, Potter’s tactical approach paid dividends in the Premier League. West Ham, struggling with numerous injuries, pulled off a 3-2 win against Fulham.

 

This marked Potter’s first Premier League victory in 20 months, highlighting his ability to inspire and organize the team.

 

Amid the on-field developments, the club continues to face challenges off the pitch.

 

A slew of transfer rumors has surfaced, linking numerous players with moves to the London Stadium.

 

Meanwhile, technical director Tim Steidten is reportedly under pressure following a poorly executed summer transfer window that saw over £155 million spent without significantly improving the squad.

 

When Crystal Palace visited the London Stadium on Saturday, Potter witnessed West Ham’s ongoing struggles firsthand.

 

The 2-0 defeat exposed the team’s issues, with the home crowd reflecting the malaise through their disinterest and subdued atmosphere.

 

Potter, West Ham’s 19th permanent manager in their 130-year history, now faces a daunting task.

 

As he selected his squad for the match, it became clear that the team is an aging, immobile unit lacking dynamism, pace, athleticism, and depth.

 

These deficiencies are partly the result of poor recruitment decisions made by the board, Steidten, and former managers David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui.

 

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the focus has shifted to addressing these issues in the January transfer window.

 

The club is prioritizing the acquisition of a striker and a midfielder, with a center-back also on the agenda, as Konstantinos Mavropanos has struggled in recent performances.

 

However, West Ham cannot afford any more transfer missteps.

 

They need players with the right profiles, character, and skills to make the team competitive again.

 

Potter has already identified two key targets he believes can transform West Ham’s fortunes. Reports suggest he has urged the club’s owners to sign Lille duo Jonathan David and Angel Gomes.

 

These players have caught the attention of fans and pundits alike, with football correspondent Graeme Bailey providing insight into the potential transfers.

 

Bailey revealed that Potter sees Canada striker David and England midfielder Gomes as solutions to the issues he has observed during his first days at the club.

Both players are reportedly available to sign pre-contract agreements this month for free transfers in the summer, which presents a unique opportunity for the Hammers.

 

However, securing their signatures will be a challenge due to expected competition from other clubs.

 

Despite this, Bailey believes West Ham are capable of pulling off such a transfer coup, given their history of surprising moves in the transfer market.

 

“I am told Graham Potter is still assessing the squad, but talks have taken place over potential targets for the summer,” Bailey said.

 

“I understand that Angel Gomes and Jonathan David are two names Potter admires greatly.

 

“A player like Gomes ticks an awful lot of boxes for Potter. He’s someone who loves the ball, can hold it, and distribute it with tremendous ease—a hugely impactful player that looks tailor-made for a Potter team.

 

“And David, well, he’s one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers. Interestingly, West Ham looked at him last summer, but sections of the club’s recruitment team were not convinced.

 

Now, however, Potter has made it clear he likes him and believes the club should make a move.

 

“For both players, it will be difficult to land them. But West Ham have pulled off some of the biggest transfer surprises in Premier League history, so I wouldn’t discount them at this stage.”

 

Potter’s belief in these two players aligns with the urgent need for West Ham to rebuild and modernize their squad.

 

If successful, these signings could inject the pace, athleticism, and quality the team currently lacks.

 

While the road ahead remains challenging, the early signs under Potter suggest West Ham may be moving in the right direction.