West Ham sent Man Utd comparison by Premier League legend in transfer warning
Graham Potter will still be hoping for new transfer arrivals at West Ham this summer.
West Ham have endured a quiet summer transfer window so far and Premier League legend Nigel Winterburn has warned that there is still much work to be done at the London Stadium.
The former defender, who made 94 appearances for the Hammers between 2000 and 2003, backed Graham Potter to be given more time but was not disillusioned when it came to the scale of the project at West Ham. The club finished 14th last season and now look to leapfrog back into the top 10.
With just El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson coming through the door, the feeling is that those could be lofty expectations this season and that it could be another tricky campaign. Potter is not helped by the departure of Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur for £55 million.
Winterburn compares West Ham project to Man Utd
Speaking to LondonWorld via NewBettingSites.uk, Winterburn was asked where the priority is for the club to strengthen. He said: “I think they’ll be looking in nearly every position. It’s crazy to say it but you’ve got to look at what Graham Potter’s got to do. He’s got to look at his squad and the way he wants to play. This is what Ruben Amorim has had problems with at Manchester United, he wants to play a certain way but does he have the players for that?
“You also look at your squad and who you think is with you, then you need to move the others around. We know now in the Premier League that players are on huge money, if they don’t want to leave it’s hard to push them out.
“You can’t tell me that they aren’t looking at a lot of positions, I’d suggest maybe the centre of midfield and centre-halves might be an area that they could be looking at. They’ve brought Wilson in, he’s a good goalscorer but injuries are always going to be the key to someone who has been out a lot injured.”
West Ham urged to give Potter time
Winterburn won the Premier League with Arsenal in 1998 and lifted the Football League First Division in 1989 and 1991. He spent 13 years with the Gunners.
The Premier League legend added that he hopes the West Ham board continue to show patience in Potter. He said: “I’d like to think not at this moment in time but, in the Premier League, the average staying time is low. Managers seem to swap a great deal. I think he’s a good manager with good ideas, he’s got to get some identity into his team, the way that he wants to play.
“He’s also got to maybe move players on and try and bring players in, sell the football club to players you’re trying to bring in. It’s a competitive market and you’ve got teams around them who have improved dramatically. I think it’s a huge job for the West Ham manager. I still feel there’s maybe a fair bit to do and wouldn’t be saying he’s the wrong choice after six months. You’ve brought someone in, you’ve got to stick with them and at least give them a chance.”
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