There have been many players leave the club over the years that we were happy to see the back of, but some who departed for ventures new are sorely missed.
Who those players are has sparked a bit of a discussion on Twitter recently, with Hammers fans sharing the names of those they would have loved the club to retain, and who would improve the squad on offer to Manuel Pellegrini.
There were even shouts for players still at the London Stadium that fans miss in terms of them playing at their peak, such as Marko Arnautovic, given he has struggled to find any form in 2019, as he battles concurrent injury problems and dealt with the mental fatigue of his failed move to China.
As for players who have actually moved on from East London, there were the natural calls for Dimitri Payet, but there were also a few shouts for former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, who found life tough in Catalunya, but recaptured some of his Gunners form in our ranks during his two seasons on loan.
All in, the former Cameroon international featured in Claret and Blue on 46 occasions – the third most profitable stint of his club career – and helped to our efforts on the pitch with three assists.
The 31-year-old was not the only player fans miss, though. Here are some of the names shared…
Alex Song at his peak for us, and Dimi Payet of course https://t.co/bpCO1gOXY2
— West Ham News (@whufc_news) April 12, 2019
Song and rice in the midfield would be dreamssss
— Kevin Lowe (@kevinlowe12345) April 12, 2019
Scott Parker , Di canio , Tevez , payet
— Howard Wright (@HowardW31594569) April 12, 2019
Arnie when he cared
— Robert Needham (@19Robert94) April 12, 2019
Song was brilliant first season… as was Le Snake…
— Ⓟⓗⓘⓛⓘⓟ 父 Ⓦⓘⓛⓚⓘⓝⓢⓞⓝ 父 (@PW57WHU) April 12, 2019
Parker, Kanoute
— Mike Szeder (@mike_szeder) April 12, 2019
Dean Ashton
— Simon (@hughes210) April 12, 2019
Payet, Behrami, Collins
— Sam Puncher (@sam_puncher) April 12, 2019
Parker alongside Rice would be perfect.
Ashton.
Lucas Neill.
Dicks.— Kris Johnson (@kjohno10) April 12, 2019