Ex striker turned pundit Troy Deeney has delivered a shocking new take on West Ham after tipping Julen Lopetegui for an early sacking.
It’s easy to forget that when Julen Lopetegui replaced David Moyes at West Ham, the reaction in the football press was predominantly scathing.
The world and its wife seemed to have their say on the appointment. And not many reacted positively.
A top West Ham source told Hammers News it was a result of Moyes having many friends in the media but said Lopetegui was a ‘true pro’.
Journalist Guillem Balague was often a lone voice speaking up for his compatriot.
Balague said West Ham were getting one of the best managers in Europe.
Realistically, in terms of approach and style of play succeeding Moyes should not be too difficult a task.
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),”
“When we played against him at Wolves, it was a very similar style. He has now gone out and bought a centre-half, a goalkeeper, a flair player from Brazil who we don’t know about – who could work or he could not.
“(They’ve got) Summerville, who was great in the Championship (but) I was at the Championship (play-off) final and he went missing – he went in the final, that happens whatever the occasion – so will he step up? Who knows.
“And then you have got the big striker from Dortmund who you would go tried and tested, we know what he is going to do…
“What we’re going to see now, from all of us and the West Ham fans, is ‘You better be playing better football than Moyesie and you better finish above where Moyesie did’. So no pressure.”
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