“DAVID Moyes finally VINDICATED, his Sack was Unjust as full details of his £63m “superstar” in the making demand to turn his fortune around turned down with Sullivan signings a flop for him instead
West Ham United have not had the most promising start to the 2024/25 season, but Julen Lopetegui has taken over a squad brimming with talent, one that has the potential to turn things around and achieve success as the campaign progresses.
With just a single win from their first six Premier League games, the Hammers are currently stuck in 15th place, a position that highlights their struggles. However, the real issue for the fans isn’t just their place in the standings—it’s the lack of a clear identity or playing style. More worrying is their failure to create goal-scoring opportunities; West Ham have registered the fewest big chances in the league so far, giving supporters every reason to be concerned.
Fans naturally hoped that the club would storm into this new era, putting on dazzling displays, but it’s a dream that may take longer to materialize. While the desire for instant success is strong, the reality is far more complex. What truly frustrates fans is the absence of any consistent structure or game plan. The team needs a fresh spark, but that added energy isn’t likely to come from Maxwel Cornet, despite his early promise.
### Why Did West Ham Sign Maxwel Cornet?
When Maxwel Cornet made the move to West Ham in 2022, he was one of the hottest commodities to emerge from a relegated side. Cornet had dazzled during his time at Burnley, showing flashes of brilliance as a mercurial winger capable of game-changing moments.
The Hammers invested £17.5 million to bring Cornet to London in the summer of 2022, and the excitement surrounding his arrival was palpable. His final season at Burnley was a strong one, where he scored nine Premier League goals across just 21 starts. His performances drew the praise of footballing legend Alan Shearer, who described Cornet as a “dangerous” player during his time under Burnley manager Sean Dyche.
Cornet also proved to be versatile, contributing not just in attack but also in defensive duties. His crossing ability and ball recoveries ranked him among the top 6% of wingers and attacking midfielders in the 2021/22 Premier League season, according to FBref, and the top 16% for ball recoveries per 90 minutes. Despite Burnley’s relegation, Cornet could leave with his head held high, having given his all.
Unfortunately, Cornet’s career at West Ham never took off as expected. Under David Moyes, his game stagnated, and he became a peripheral figure at the club. Football insider Dean Jones even remarked that Cornet was “wasting his time” at West Ham. Over two seasons, he managed just one goal and six assists across 37 appearances, leading to a loan move to Southampton this summer, where his performances have been underwhelming.
So, why did West Ham sign him in the first place? Cornet was brought in as a replacement for Andriy Yarmolenko, who had left the club, and with Felipe Anderson already gone a year earlier, West Ham were in desperate need of a new winger. Cornet was supposed to fill the gap, especially after they missed out on signing Luis Diaz.
West Ham’s Missed Opportunity with Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz has become one of the standout players in the Premier League, lighting up the competition this season with five goals and an assist in his first six games for Liverpool. His performances have pushed Liverpool to the top of the table, and his pace and technical ability have made him a vital asset for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Although Diaz only managed eight league goals in 37 appearances during the 2023/24 season, he’s now showing the kind of prolific form that has made him a key player in Liverpool’s title challenge against Manchester City and Arsenal. His technical brilliance and high athletic output would have been a game-changer for West Ham, had they managed to secure his services.
West Ham were, in fact, close to signing Diaz before Liverpool swooped in. As confirmed by David Moyes himself, West Ham had been in serious talks with the Colombian winger back in January 2022. “I spoke to Luis Diaz on the phone, we were quite far down the line to sign him,” Moyes revealed. He explained that Liverpool had initially planned to sign Diaz in the summer of that year, but West Ham’s interest prompted the Reds to accelerate their plans and seal the deal earlier.
Diaz might not have been the relentless goal-scorer many expected last season, but his overall contribution to the game—his ability to press, create, and support his teammates—has made him invaluable. A player of his caliber would have elevated West Ham’s attack, complementing the likes of Jarrod Bowen, who has been West Ham’s standout forward for several seasons. Just imagine the impact Lucas Paqueta could have had, threading passes to a winger of Diaz’s quality.
It’s clear that West Ham missed a golden opportunity with Diaz. Liverpool’s decision to bring him in early likely stemmed from West Ham’s interest, and now Diaz is worth considerably more. With a valuation of around €75 million (£63 million) this summer amidst interest from Barcelona, Diaz’s value has skyrocketed. West Ham’s chance to sign him has passed, and it would take something extraordinary from their current sporting director, Tim Steidten, to pull off such a transfer now.
While some might argue that West Ham’s recent signing of Mohammed Kudus makes up for missing out on Diaz, the two players are different. Kudus, while versatile, isn’t restricted to the left flank, and the club could have benefitted from having both players, forming a dynamic and electrifying forward line.
In conclusion, West Ham’s struggles this season, both on the pitch and in the transfer market, point to a need for greater cohesion and smarter signings. Missing out on players like Luis Diaz has set them back, and while there is still hope for players like Kudus to make their mark, West Ham will need more than just flashes of brilliance to turn their season around.