Exclusive: West Ham senior players 'Stunned' by 'Inept' outfield summer signing

Exclusive: West Ham senior players 'Stunned' by 'Inept' outfield summer signing

Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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West Ham senior players have been left "stunned" by the mediocrity of summer signing Albian Ajeti, Football Insider has been told.

The striker, 22, joined the Hammers on the eve of deadline day for £8.5million including add-ons amid a major overhaul of the attack that also included the club- record capture of Sebastien Haller.

A West Ham source has told Football Insider how some players have been distinctly unimpressed by the pedigree and aptitude of the front man.

Some have been "stunned" by his "inept" levels by the standards of the Premier League, while others have talked about him being "Championship quality".

Manuel Pellegrini has barely used the 10-times Switzerland international despite losing trust in Haller and trying out different permutations to arrest his team's decline.

He has instead shoehorned Michail Antonio into the spearhead role in two of the last three Premier League matches and omitted Haller.

Indeed, Ajeti failed to even make the matchday squad for Monday's 3-1 home defeat to Arsenal, a game that has left Pellegrini's job hanging by a thread.

The Swiss has made just seven appearances for West Ham this season, with his only two starts coming in the League Cup.

He has yet to score or assist for the Londoners from his 280 minutes of senior action.

For a player signed to replace the likes of Javier Hernandez and Andy Carroll, and who has a contract until 2023, it is a meagre return.

In other West Ham news, it can be REVEALED that the club have plans in place for duo to take over next week.

www.footballinsider247.com