West Ham have one of the oldest squads in the Premier League in terms of average age, but one supporter has got a rise from his fellow fans after suggesting the Irons target a range of soon-to-be free agents in the summer.
The line-up Manuel Pellegrini put together to face Bournemouth back in August had an average age of 29.4, which placed the XI seventh on the list of oldest teams in the division.
Only Watford have managed to average a higher combined age since that clash, with the Hammers averaging 28.9, 28.8 and a 28.6 since – most recently the side who lost away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in January.
Nonetheless, Hammers fan account West Ham Gossip asked which names, from a range of soon-to-be free agents, would be welcomed at the London Stadium next season.
Some players coming to the end of there contracts in the summer. Would you take any of these on a free?
Olivier Giroud
Daniel Strurridge
Max Kruse
Danny Welbeck
Ander Herrara
Juan Mata
Alberto Moreno
David Luiz
Rafeal— West Ham Gossip (@westham_gossip) February 12, 2019
Among the players in question were 32-year-old’s Olivier Giroud and Vincent Kompany, along with Daniel Sturridge (29), Juan Mata (30), David Luiz (31) and Ander Herrera (29).
All would be available for free if they do not agree new deals at their respective clubs, but none would offer long-term solutions to areas Pellegrini currently has a range of options to choose from – when fully fit, that is.
Add to that their lofty wage demands, and West Ham would be fluttering their transfer budget away on short-term options that might not suit the dressing room in East London.
Judging by the way West Ham fans reacted to the tweet, it seems not many are keen to add a lot of the ageing stars to next season’s roster…
We need to stop doing this. We should be looking to change our recruitment policy and freshen the team with youth and hunger. Not injury prone and past it. Sell or let any deadwood leave and bring in players who want to play and want to play for us.
— Ali Jones (@Alibones2) February 12, 2019
Herrera and luiz but no chance they will sign for us
— BelgianHammer (@afrowanny) February 12, 2019
I know AC’s contract is up but we do not need another.. Daniel Sturridge can keep well clear of East London thank you
— Martin Hickey ⚒ (@MartinHickey9) February 12, 2019
Hmmm…probably Herrera is the only one that would interest me tbh! ????♂️
— Peadar MacÍomhair (@bigpete1974) February 12, 2019
I’d take Mata…
— Nick P Coltrane (@edmundsnick) February 12, 2019
Ander herrera.
— Robbie Lawther (@RLawther94) February 12, 2019
Nope
— Moray (@smtaxi) February 12, 2019
I’d prefer us to look for slightly younger players but I’d have Vincent Company for a year or two.
— ⚒️Sir Anyoldiron CBE⚒️ (@Anyoldiron2) February 12, 2019
No such thing as a ‘free’ what you save on a transfer fee you pay on wages and bonuses
— ⚒Only me⚒ (@trevslovechild) February 12, 2019
Giroud if carroll leaves
— was @winzini (@WhuEthan) February 12, 2019
Mata and Herrera but bet there on a fortune!
— SuperZaba (@SuperZabaleta) February 12, 2019