I have come to despise the transfer window over the years, especially the January window which seems to me to do nothing but disrupt and unsettle teams. Fresh from hearing we’re on the verge of resigning Darren Randolph, the very next story I saw reported West Ham have bid 3.5m for Neil Etheridge. If these reports are to be believed, it begs the question, what will our formation be as we are seemingly planning a human pyramid in goal.
If its not, West Ham lining up a bid for a player Jurgen Klopp once described as ‘Amazing’, it’s West Ham set to sign a player Rio Ferdinand claimed Everton should sign. We’ve only got 5 scouts or so I’m lead to believe, one of them is Jack Sullivan (Citation needed) and I’m pretty sure Jurgen Klopp isn’t one of the other ones. In case you’re interested, Nathaniel Clyne is the ‘new’ name linked with the club and I guess it makes sense. Treading water at Liverpool, sent out on loan to Bournemouth last January and in need of fresh new surroundings. Given West Ham’s need for strength in the right back position, it’s a link that makes sense. Perhaps even an upgrade, although I’m as guilty as anyone of basing my opinions on a players past glories. Its true he’s spent some time out of contention at Liverpool, but given their dominance over the past couple of years, it would be unfair to write him off just yet. How’d he do at Bournemouth… anyone know?
I don’t know if it’s unique to West Ham, but being linked to every man and his dog seems to be a recurring theme. Is this because of our apparent fondness for leaking news and rumours or is it just the world of modern football and an abundance of agents all trying to make a quick buck? I don’t know about anybody else, but I felt mentally exhausted after the summer window closed, I think our squad would have swelled to 75 if we’d signed all the players that were described as being ‘close’. Did we end up signing Maxi Gomez in the end?
Here’s a new one on me, Prince Gouano, a 26 year old Centre Back who currently plays for Amiens in Ligue 1. Newcastle are also said to be interested as tends to be the case when we get linked to players so I expect Crystal Palace will be linked with him also. Do we need another centre back? Depends if we sell Diop in the next two windows. Whether Gouano is the right man to replace him is another question, although his royal upbringing suggests some degree of class. I’m sold. I now want him or that guy who may or may not be made up from Sampdoria, Coley someone. No relation.