Supercomputer predicts West Ham’s final Premier League position after Everton draw

In the 2023/24 season, West Ham United spent approximately £120 million on new talent, acquiring five permanent players and securing Kalvin Phillips on loan during the January window.

This spending spree came in the same summer that saw the club’s star midfielder, Declan Rice, transferred to Arsenal for £105 million, leaving West Ham with the challenge of filling the void he left in midfield.

The club’s marquee signing was Mohammed Kudus from Ajax, costing around £38 million. Since joining, the 24-year-old Kudus has made 55 appearances, scored 16 goals, and provided seven assists, solidifying his impact on the team.

However, there was one highly discussed transfer that West Ham missed during the summer window – a player now outscoring two of West Ham’s key attackers, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio, combined.

Current Form of Bowen and Antonio

In the current season, Bowen has been West Ham’s standout player, leading the team’s scoring with four goals and two assists in 13 matches.

His performance is crucial for the team, especially given the lack of goals from a traditional striker, which has increased reliance on the wingers for offensive output.

Michail Antonio, however, has struggled to deliver consistently, managing only one goal and one assist in his 12 appearances this season.

Although the 34-year-old Jamaican forward contributes significantly in terms of work rate and overall presence on the field, his goal-scoring form has been less than ideal.

Last season, Antonio scored only seven goals in 32 matches, a considerable gap compared to Bowen, who netted 20 goals.

Unfortunately for West Ham, the player they missed out on last summer has not only outscored both Bowen and Antonio in the 2023/24 season but is also outperforming them again in 2024/25.

According to data analyst Ben Mattinson, this “on-fire” striker would have been a valuable addition to the squad.

The Striker West Ham Missed Out On

Reports from June 2023 linked Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres with a move to West Ham from Coventry City, with the club’s senior officials reportedly entering negotiations.

David Moyes was known to be a fan of Gyokeres, and the club could have pursued the transfer.

However, the 26-year-old striker ultimately joined Sporting CP in Portugal for a fee of about £20 million, making him Coventry’s record sale.

Since joining Sporting, Gyokeres has lived up to his reputation as an “unplayable” forward, a label given by former teammate Maxime Biamou.

In his first season in Lisbon, Gyokeres scored an impressive 43 goals and registered 15 assists in 50 games, playing a pivotal role in helping Sporting secure the league title.

Now in his second season, the Swedish international continues his phenomenal form, scoring 23 goals and providing four assists in just 17 appearances, totaling 1,436 minutes on the pitch.

This goal tally is more than triple the combined output of Bowen and Antonio this season.

Gyokeres’ game is characterized by a complete skill set.

His ability to run into channels, carry the ball forward, link up play, and create chances for teammates – alongside his exceptional finishing – makes him a well-rounded forward.

His recent hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League showcased his abilities on a big stage and has cemented his reputation as a potent threat.

Statistically, Gyokeres surpasses Antonio in nearly all key metrics, except in progressive passes per 90 minutes, where Antonio has a slight edge.

The combination of Bowen and Gyokeres could have created a formidable partnership for West Ham, leaving fans to wonder how the team might have performed with the Swedish forward leading their line.

Gyokeres’ signing could have transformed West Ham’s attack, and his success in Portugal has led many supporters to speculate on what could have been if he had joined the Hammers instead.