West Ham: The 2024/25 Premier League Underachievers

In recent years, West Ham United has been a club that has thrived upon achievements and success - a new stadium, European football, and even a European trophy. As the heroes of David Moyes, and Declan Rice departed the club, the Irons looked to sign the next players to be on fan's shirts in East London with an ambitious summer transfer window.

Following a 9th placed finish, David Sullivan splashed a reported £144m on new talent, with Maximilian Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Luis Guilherme, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Guido Rodriguez, and Wes Foderingham brought in to strengthen the squad of the newly appointed Julien Lopetegui.

However, with five games left, it has not gone to plan at the London Stadium.

Julen Lopetegui

The act of David Moyes at West Ham was always going to be a hard one to follow. However, less than a year later, it is clear to see that Julen Lopetegui was not the right man. Lopetegui joined the club as a former Real Madrid manager and two-time Europa League winner with Sevilla, but struggling as Wolves boss - the Spaniard is still yet to crack the Premier League.

Operating his teams in a 4-1-4-1 formation, the manager's reign at West Ham seemed to get off on a positive note, being defeated on the league's opening day against Aston Villa before beating Crystal Palace and then Bournemouth in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Nevertheless, what followed for Lopetegui would be a struggle. The Irons won twice in eight games in December and January, with the Basque boss’ fait being decided on January 5th as Lopetegui was let go.

🚨⚒️ BREAKING: Julen Lopetegui has been sacked by West Ham, confirmed.

Graham Potter set to become the new head coach with contracts being checked. pic.twitter.com/ca5EuLCSG3

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2025

Under the Spaniard’s tenure, the London club seemed to struggle to create, often losing in games by small, one or two-goal margins. The club also seemed to have moved sideways, following the departure of Moyes, with football not becoming brighter or more exciting. However, while the 58-year-old did not have the club’s desired impact, they also made several mistakes in their summer signings.

Summer Signings

Alongside the appointment of the replacement for Moyes, it was a big summer window in all other aspects at the London Stadium – an ambitious rebuild with numerous players coming through the door and many even touting the Irons as the Premier League’s ‘dark horses’. However, not all signings have since taken to life at West Ham as easy as Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Summerville stood in the summer as ‘hot property’, the Championship 2024 Player of the Season, and almost single-handedly guided Leeds United back to the Premier League with 19 goals. Irons went on to pay around £25m to secure his service and beat off several competing clubs. But since moving back to the English top-flight, the 23-year-old has struggled, scoring just one goal and assisting once in a season that has been heavily derailed by injury. It is hard to label Summerville as a ‘flop’ due to his injury and clear potential shown at Leeds. However, he certainly has not had the impact that many anticipated.

Crysencio Summerville has been named the PFA Championship Player of the Year 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BhPooJGET7

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 20, 2024

Fullkrug is a name that many fans became familiar with - due to the 2024 European Championships as the striker impressed for Germany. West Ham paid a reported €27m for the German, hoping to secure a strong and physical number nine. 13 Premier League appearances later, it is safe to say that the 32-year-old has struggled. A goal against Bournemouth ended a month-long break due to injury, but having scored just three goals this season, Fullkrug has massively struggled for minutes. The German predominantly features from the bench or for minimal periods as Jarrod Bowen has operated in a more central role this season. Fullkrug again has not been the player that many expected, and with West Ham staying near the bottom of the table, it is hard not to look towards their issue of scoring goals for the reason.

Guilherme joined the club as a wonderkid and a Brazilian prospect that had been involved in Palmeiras action as a teenager. The 19-year-old was never going to be the finished product at the London Stadium, but within his first 11 top-flight appearances for the club, it is hard to find any moments of flash or brilliance. Primarily a winger, Guilherme has the potential to offer a deadly attacking trio alongside Bowen and Kudus, but after signing for around €18m, West Ham will have wanted a little bit more in his debut season at the club.

Is Graham Potter Bringing Stability?

Lopetegui was out in January, and the Irons needed a replacement, Graham Potter was the man to step in, and the Englishman would finally get back into management after a prolonged period of absence. Potter has had previous success in the Premier League, guiding Brighton to the promised lands and helping to uncover gems such as Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister.

There have been great times already in claret and blue for the manager, with the rememberable win coming against Arsenal at the Emirates. Despite that, West Ham sit just one place above the drop zone in 17th place, but Potter’s side are clear and dry in safety, with 14 points separating themselves and Leicester. Operating in a different 3-5-2 formation, Potter’s principles seem to rely on defensive solidarity and becoming a unit. It has not quite been the ‘wow’ appointment that the English boss could have provided before joining Chelsea, but the 49-year-old has done more than enough to secure his seat in the dug-out and provide optimism for next season. A higher-placed finish will be expected, but Potter could be the man to get the best out of players such as Summerville and Guilherme.