Ex striker turned pundit Troy Deeney has delivered a shocking new take on West Ham after tipping Julen Lopetegui for an early sacking.
It is easy to forget that the football press reacted largely negatively when Julien Lopetegui took over at West Ham in place of David Moyes.
Seemed to have an opinion on the appointment was the world and its wife. And few had a good response.
Although Lopetegui was a “genuine pro,” a top West Ham source told Hammers News that it was because Moyes had many friends in the media.
Guillem Balague, a journalist, was frequently the lone voice advocating for his countryman.
Balague claimed that West Ham would have one of Europe’s top managers.
Honestly, it should not be that hard to succeed Moyes in terms of strategy and playing style.
Deeney’s shocking new West Ham take after Lopetegui sack claim
The vast majority of Hammers supporters had grown fed up of the Scot’s risk averse, defensive tactics.
Towards the end Moyes even admitted he understood fan frustration at his methods.
Lopetegui’s success, though, will be measured on whether he can combine style with substance.
One of the most outspoken on West Ham’s appointment of Lopetegui was Troy Deeney.
Never shy in voicing his opinion, Deeney predicted Lopetegui could be sacked just 10 games into his West Ham tenure.
In his assessment Deeney named West Ham as the team to struggle next season.
Now Deeney has delivered a shocking new West Ham take after his Lopetegui sack claim.
Since Deeney’s bold prediction, West Ham have signed Brazilian teen sensation Luis Guilherme, Wolves skipper Max Kilman for £40m, Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug, Championship player of the year Crysencio Summerville and Argentinan World Cup and two-time Copa America winning midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
The Hammers are also in talks to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka while targeting several more signings including two more centre-backs.
Deeney pours cold water on West Ham window excitement
That’s to add to an already impressive collection of stars including Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez.
The glut of signings has impressed most West Ham fans, rival supporters, pundits and journalists.
Not least Henry Winter who has raved about West Ham’s window this week.
Deeney has seen nothing to change his mind on the Hammers, though.
The Forest Green managerial flop doubled down on his previous comments and picked apart the business done by Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten.
“I love West Ham,” Deeney said on talkSPORT.
“I love old English football teams and I think West Ham are brilliant. But when you look at them it’s ‘what are they?’
‘You better be playing better than Moyesie’
“My prejudgement is it will be more of the same under this fellow (Lopetegui),”
“We played against him at Wolves, and our styles were quite similar. He has now purchased a goalie, a center-half, and a Brazilian flair player, none of whom we know anything about and who may or may not be able to play.
“(They have) Summerville, who performed admirably in the Championship (but) when I watched the Championship (play-off) final, he vanished. This happens in finals, no matter the event, so will he rise to the occasion? Who knows?
“After that, you have Dortmund’s big striker, who you would go try and test because we know what he will do.
“You better be playing better football than Moyesie and you better finish above where Moyesie finished,” is what we, the West Ham supporters, will be seeing going forward. So do not feel pressed.
