Whelan predicts dressing room discontent at West Ham after ExWHUemployee’s Zouma claim
Noel Whelan insists West Ham will have to keep spending money if they want to regularly challenge for Europe.
The former Leeds United striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider reacted to the latest claims regarding Kurt Zouma.
ExWHUemployee has claimed on his podcast that Zouma will become the top earner at the London Stadium.
Zouma was announced as a West Ham player on Saturday evening.
This brought to an end his seven-year spell with Chelsea.
He is West Ham’s first outfield signing for the summer with David Moyes looking to build on last year’s impressive campaign.
Whelan understands reservations over Zouma’s reported wage but insists this is what clubs need to do to progress.
“It will be an expensive signing for West Ham,” Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge.
“But he’s earning the same as what he was on at Chelsea and Chelsea pay bigger wages, that’s just the way it is.
“West Ham are looking to improve their squad and to be a bit more competitive in the market and in whatever competition they are playing in.
“They want to push forward but when you do that, the players you want to bring in demand more money. That’s just the way it is.
“When you go for quality players those players operate in a different financial bracket.
“I’m sure players will be knocking on the door but I’m sure the board are expecting that.
“West Ham have international players who are playing out of their skin, to keep those players you have to open your wallet.
“If West Ham want to challenge, this is what they have to do.”
In other news, Hammers backed to seal last-minute striker signing after Moyes confession – pundit