So, that’s it. The transfer window has closed and it’s been an extremely busy couple of months as a new chapter opens for West Ham.
There have been a number of new faces come through the door at the London Stadium, with Carlos Sánchez’s last-minute deadline day arrival taking the total up to nine signings this summer. The Hammers’ board have shown that they mean business and have backed new boss Manuel Pellegrini very well. Surely, the minimum expectation must be a top half finish this season – but are the new additions good enough to make that happen?
Here is how I rated each signing.
Łukasz Fabiański
The Hammers definitely needed to add a new ‘keeper to their ranks and Fabiański ticks a lot of boxes. The former Swans stopper arrived for a fairly small fee, has vast experience and had an excellent season last year, in what was an extremely poor Swansea side. Fabiański will be in a battle with Adrián for the number one jersey to start with, but I expect him to soon prove his worth and claim the spot.
Signing rating: B
Ryan Fredericks
Given the high profile names that have joined the club, this transfer seems to have gone under the radar. Whilst you would expect Pablo Zabaleta to be the first choice at right-back, Fredericks is a very good alternative option. The former Fulham man is a competent, pacey defender, who loves to get up and down the right flank. Don’t rule him out on taking over that full-back spot by the end of the season.
Signing rating: B-
Issa Diop
This is an excellent signing. Diop, as captain of Toulouse at just 21, built up quite a name for himself in France over the past couple of seasons. The centre-back has now been tempted away from his hometown club and looks like he means business. He has all the makings of being a huge part of the side for years to come and it will be exciting to see how he develops further in claret and blue. West Ham did a great job of getting him in early before the transfer market got even madder. This could be a big year for Diop.
Signing rating: A-
Fabián Balbuena
Initially, it looked like Balbuena had probably just been brought in as a squad player – but he has impressed a lot of people throughout pre-season. The Paraguayan international arrived on a fairly cheap deal and looks to be a solid defender who has the ability to play out well from the back. Balbuena will challenge for a starting berth.
Signing rating: B-
Carlos Sánchez
This is probably the weakest of all West Ham’s summer signings. At 32, Sánchez could well be past his best and doesn’t really offer too much different from what the Hammers already have in midfield. The Colombian had a relatively average World Cup, having been sent off just minutes into his countries opening group stage game before then giving away a crucial penalty against England. Although, another body was needed following Kouyate’s departure – so maybe getting Sánchez on the cheap isn’t the worst deal in the world.
Signing rating: D
Jack Wilshere
To get Wilshere on a free is a fantastic piece of business. If, and it’s a big if, the former Arsenal man can stay fit then this could be one of the signings of the season. Wilshere has so much ability, it’s just unfortunate that his career has been hampered by injuries. On his day, the creative midfielder can do everything; he loves a tackle as much as he likes to get forward. Wilshere has West Ham in his blood and will be keen to prove himself and get back into the fold with England, he just needs games consistently.
Signing rating: B+
Andriy Yarmolenko
Yarmolenko still has to prove himself in a major European league following a disappointing campaign with Borussia Dortmund last term. The Ukranian winger is certainly talented, but he is very left-footed and slightly one dimensional as he looks to cut in off the right flank regularly. That being said, the Hammers have shown faith in his ability this summer, by paying a reasonable transfer fee, which he will be looking to repay them for.
Signing rating: B
Felipe Anderson
This is the signing that made people stand up and realise that West Ham were not messing around this year. Anderson was one of the most talented players in his position in Serie A and he has been linked with a number of big clubs in recent years. The attacking midfielder is precisely what the Hammers needed and the fans craved; he will look to play off the wing and make things happen. There is no way I can see the Brazilian being anything other than a huge success in England. This is a big signing.
Signing rating: A
Lucas Pérez
This isn’t a bad deadline day capture – we have seen worse. Pérez is probably going to be below Marko Arnautović and Chicharito in the pecking order, but he does add something a little bit different – pace. The former Arsenal man will look to get in behind or move out wide and stretch defences. Apart from one successful season in La Liga with Deportivo La Coruña, Pérez has quite a poor record and has failed to make an impression in his time with the Gunners. But he deserves a chance and West Ham have got a good deal on him.
Signing rating: C
