West Ham United entered the 2024/25 Premier League season with high hopes after a successful previous campaign. However, their struggles led to the sacking of Julen Lopetegui and the departure of sporting director Tim Steidten. Throughout the season, the Hammers brought in 11 new players, some of whom have proven to be key additions, while others have failed to make an impact. Here’s an in-depth analysis of each signing:
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 9/10
West Ham secured Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United for £15 million, and he has been nothing short of a revelation at the London Stadium. His defensive discipline and ability to shut down opposition wingers have made him a crucial part of the team.
Wan-Bissaka has thrived under both Lopetegui and Graham Potter, rarely putting a foot wrong. His ability to recover possession, make last-ditch tackles, and improve his attacking output has been impressive. He has even contributed going forward, scoring crucial goals against Newcastle United and Arsenal. Given his performances, he is arguably West Ham’s best signing of the season.
- Max Kilman – 7/10
West Ham signed Kilman from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £40 million, a move that raised some eyebrows due to the hefty price tag. However, despite some inconsistencies, he has shown himself to be a solid addition.
Kilman has been reliable in central defense, forming partnerships with different players due to injuries. His ability to bring the ball out from the back and his composure under pressure have been valuable assets for the Hammers. While some believe West Ham overpaid for him, in the current transfer market, his signing makes sense from a long-term perspective.
- Wes Foderingham – 4/10
The 33-year-old goalkeeper arrived from Sheffield United on a free transfer to serve as the third-choice option. While it’s difficult to criticize him too harshly, Foderingham has yet to make a first-team appearance, making his signing feel somewhat pointless.
Despite his limited role, he likely plays a vital part behind the scenes in training. However, with no expectation of regular game time, this transfer does little to enhance the squad.
- Guido Rodríguez – 6/10
West Ham secured Rodríguez on a free transfer from Real Betis, and while he has shown glimpses of his quality, he has struggled with consistency.
The Argentine midfielder possesses great composure on the ball and defensive awareness, but mistakes have crept into his game. When at his best, Rodríguez provides a solid midfield presence, but he needs to deliver consistently to justify his place in the team.
- Carlos Soler – 8/10
Soler joined on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and he has been one of West Ham’s most consistent performers this season.
His ability to play multiple midfield roles has proven to be a key asset. Whether dictating play from deep or joining attacks, Soler has been a dependable figure. Under Graham Potter, he is expected to improve further, making him a valuable signing for the Hammers.
- Jean-Clair Todibo – 7/10
Todibo was brought in on loan from OGC Nice, and his performances have largely been impressive. However, injuries have limited his appearances, preventing him from reaching his full potential at West Ham.
When fit, the French center-back has looked a level above most defenders at the club, displaying composure and intelligence in his positioning. If he can stay injury-free, he has the potential to play a crucial role in the remainder of the season.
- Luis Guilherme – 2/10
One of the most puzzling signings of the season, West Ham spent £19.1 million on Guilherme from Palmeiras, yet he has barely featured.
The Brazilian has played just 48 minutes of Premier League football, which is concerning given the investment made in him. The fact that he hasn’t been trusted by either Lopetegui or Potter suggests that something isn’t right. With West Ham reportedly already looking to offload him, this signing has been a major disappointment.
- Evan Ferguson – TBD
The need for a striker was evident in the January transfer window, and West Ham turned to Brighton’s Evan Ferguson on loan.
Ferguson is a young forward with massive potential, but it remains to be seen how he fits into the squad. If he can provide goals and link-up play, he could prove to be a brilliant short-term addition. However, given West Ham’s struggles with strikers in recent years, there is still uncertainty about whether this move will be successful.
- Niclas Füllkrug – 2/10
Signed from Borussia Dortmund for £27 million, Füllkrug was expected to solve West Ham’s long-standing striker issues. Unfortunately, things have not gone as planned.
The German has suffered multiple injury setbacks, limiting him to just nine Premier League appearances. In that time, he has scored two goals, which isn’t enough to justify his price tag. At 31 years old and nearing his 32nd birthday, this move looks like a gamble that hasn’t paid off.
- Crysencio Summerville – 5/10
West Ham took a risk by signing Summerville from Leeds United for £25 million, hoping he would provide the creativity they needed in attack.
However, he has struggled for game time, making it difficult to showcase his talent. Summerville has registered just two goal contributions in the Premier League this season, meaning West Ham has essentially paid around £12.2 million per goal involvement. That’s not ideal for a player who was expected to make an immediate impact.
- Mohamadou Kanté – N/A
The young midfielder joined from Paris FC, but he has yet to feature for the first team. As a result, it is too early to judge his signing.
Overall Verdict
West Ham’s 2024/25 transfer business has been a mixed bag. Some signings, such as Wan-Bissaka (9/10) and Soler (8/10), have proven to be excellent additions, while others, like Füllkrug (2/10) and Guilherme (2/10), have been major disappointments.
The Hammers’ recruitment strategy appears to have lacked cohesion, with some signings failing to fit into the squad. Injuries have also played a role in limiting the impact of certain players. If Graham Potter can get the best out of these signings in the second half of the season, West Ham might still be able to salvage their campaign.
However, with West Ham already looking to offload some recent signings, their transfer dealings have left many fans frustrated. The departure of sporting director Tim Steidten suggests that mistakes were made in the recruitment process, and the club will need to rectify those errors in the next transfer window.