‘West Ham ready to back Graham Potter with another major overhaul, 15 could go’
West Ham are preparing for another busy summer with up to 15 players potentially leaving the London Stadium at the end of the season.
Under former technical director Tim Steidten, the Hammers spent over £120million [transfermarkt] last summer in an attempt to push on from their ninth-placed finish last term.
So far, that huge outlay has backfired massively and whilst there is still hope that several of those players will come good, only Aaron Wan-Bissaka has proven good value for money.
The Irons looked to rectify the mistake of hiring Julen Lopetegui by replacing the Spaniard with Graham Potter in January, but under the former Chelsea manager West Ham have only won three games and sit 17th in the Premier League.
In a report by The Times, rather than move on from the ex-Brighton man, the Hammers are preparing to back their manager with a huge squad overhaul that could see up to 15 players leave this summer, including some star names, as there is “no pressure” on his job internally.
Jarrod Bowen linked with exit as Mohammed Kudus offered to Saudi Pro League
Headlining those 15 names is the darling of the East End, Jarrod Bowen.
Whilst it remains unlikely that he will leave, given that he has shown little interest outwardly in doing so and has a contract with the club until 2030, there may be some concerns around the former Hull City man as interest is reportedly expected this summer.
Bowen is on the fringes of the England set-up, and Thomas Tuchel prefers picking players from club teams with status or good form, as evidenced by Jarrad Branthwaite’s omission from the England squad in March.
In terms of valuable assets leaving, Mohammed Kudus has been “offered” to the Saudi Pro League, while West Ham hope that Man City will return with an offer for Lucas Paqueta if he is found not guilty for the spot-fixing charges being levied against him by the FA.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | League rank | West Ham |
| Goals per match | 16th | 1.1 |
| Goals conceded per match | 16th | 1.7 |
| Expected goals | 14th | 42.0 |
| Clean sheets | 13th | 6 |
| Average possession | 13th | 47.7% |
Having shipped an average of 1.7 goals per game, defenders Konstantinos Mavropanos, Emerson Palmieri, and Jean-Clair Todibo could all leave, with the Irons looking to potentially sell the Frenchman immediately after his loan is made permanent. Aaron Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal, and Lukasz Fabianksi are all out of contract this summer.
Michail Antonio’s future is also still up in the air, with the club waiting till the summer to decide on the striker’s future, as the Jamaican international is out of contract this summer.
Evan Ferguson and Carlos Soler are on loan with the club and both will head back to their parent clubs this summer.
The remaining names on the chopping block are Edson Alvarez, Guido Rodriguez, Danny Ings, and this season’s second-top goal-scorer Tomas Soucek, about whom there are said to be “doubts” over energy levels.
Jarrod Bowen the be-all and end-all for Graham Potter success
Football Insider Verdict
Few teams in the Premier League are as reliant on one player as West Ham are on their talismanic winger, Bowen.
The England international joined in January of 2020 for £20million [BBC Sport] and is arguably the best player not playing for one of the big six in the Premier League.
However, after scoring 70 and assisting 43 in 233 games in all competitions during his spell in East London, few could blame him for wanting to test his upper limit as a footballer.
Liverpool have long been interested in Bowen, and if he wants to move on, the 28-year-old would not struggle to find a taker.
But if he did leave, Potter would likely be saying goodbye to any chances he has of being a success in East London.
The first, and only priority for the English manager right now should be convincing Bowen he is capable of building a squad around him that can support him, rather than hinder him as the current team does now.