West Ham United's Transfer Mistakes: Where Are They Now?
West Ham United's biggest transfer flops have been a recurring theme in recent years, and the club's current league standing (18th in Premier League, 39 pts, 10W-9D-19L from 38 games, recent form WLLLW) is a testament to the challenges they face. The Hammers have had their fair share of significant misses, but where are some of their biggest flops plying their trade today?
Simone Zaza
Simone Zaza arrived in east London on loan from Juventus following an impressive UEFA Euros 2016 campaign with Italy. However, he was unable to emulate his goal-scoring success in English football, featuring on only 11 occasions in all competitions. The physical striker returned to Turin five months after signing and went on to play for Valencia and Torino before retiring last year.
Roberto
Roberto's time between the sticks was poor, to say the least. The Spaniard was brought in as Lukas Fabianski's deputy in the summer of 2019 but was thrust into the spotlight when the fan favourite suffered a thigh injury. He was at fault for goals against Everton, Sheffield United, and Newcastle United as West Ham entered the relegation conversation. Roberto's first step into Premier League football was unsurprisingly his last, and he announced his retirement in 2022.
Jordan Hugill
Jordan Hugill's time at West Ham was yet another prime example of the club's striker curse. He was thriving at Preston North End, finishing the 2016/17 season as their top-scorer with 13 goals. However, he made just three appearances for the Hammers before permanently departing the London Stadium in 2020. Hugill returned to the second tier with Middlesbrough and Queens Park Rangers on loan, before joining Rotherham United last term and returning to Hartlepool United this season.
Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere's career was once promising, but injury concerns ultimately curtailed his progress. The midfielder looked to be an astute acquisition on a free transfer from Arsenal ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. However, he struggled with injuries and was eventually released by the club. Wilshere has since played for Bournemouth and has been linked with a move to the United States.
What's Next for West Ham United?
With the new season underway, West Ham United will be looking to build on their current form and avoid making costly mistakes in the transfer market. The club's biggest transfer flops serve as a reminder of the challenges they face, but with the right signings and a bit of luck, the Hammers can turn their fortunes around.
