Whelan baffled by ‘Very Strange’ West Ham development as fans fume
Noel Whelan has admitted he finds it “strange” West Ham United did not sign a striker in the transfer window after selling Sebastien Haller.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Premier League striker claimed the Irons will be forced to “put square pegs in round holes” if Michail Antonio suffers another injury.
David Moyes confirmed after the window slammed shut that there was money to spend but he did not feel forced to spend it to appease the supporters.
Antonio is the only senior striker at the club after club-record signing Sebastien Haller was sold to Ajax in a £20million deal last month.
“It’s a very strange one, it really is,” Whelan told Football Insider.
“You let your record signing go in Haller for £20million less than what you bought him for and you get £20million in the bank.
“I know they brought in Jesse Lingard through the door.
“At the minute they’re a team that is looking at getting into Europe and the added firepower of a striker maybe would’ve pushed them closer to that outcome.
“It’s very, very strange they didn’t go out there and replace Haller. I thought that would’ve been the first port of call and somebody you needed into the football club was a striker to cover the player who left.
“Maybe they couldn’t get one over the line, we just don’t know. But I’m not surprised the fans aren’t happy.
“That’s something you probably do at the end of the season, sell a striker. Not halfway through and don’t replace him. A bad call there by West Ham.
“If Antonio gets injured you’re left with nothing and you’re trying to put square pegs in round holes.”
In other news, Danny Mills has been left wowed after West Ham completed a £20m+ deal.