West Ham United fans had every reason to smile after the club completed a double deadline day swoop with Nikola Vlasic and Alex Kral signing for the London side who are certainly on the ascendancy.
The Hammers enjoyed a productive transfer window that should help David Moyes to balance their European adventure with domestic competitions this season. Moyes’ side have started the new Premier League campaign strongly, winning seven points from a possible nine.
Post the international break, West Ham will take on Southampton where new signings Nikola Vlasic and Alex Kral could make their debuts.
Let’s take a look at what the new signings will bring to this exciting West Ham squad
Ins
Alphonse Areola
Alphonse Areola has joined on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain having suffered relegation with Fulham last season.
The Frenchman is an experienced shot-stopper who will compete with Lukasz Fabianski, who apparently went unchallenged last season and often had troubles with injuries. Fabianski is 36 and has entered the final phase of his career.
While Fabianski is Moyes’ undisputed no.1, it is hoped that the signing of Areola will keep the ageing Pole on his toes. When the domestic cup competitions and the Europa League will start in full flow later this month onward, Areola will get opportunities to prove his credentials.
Craig Dawson
West Ham signed Craig Dawson permanently from Watford back in April itself after his impressive loan spell. He was a part of the Hammers’ three-man backline and chipped in with three goals in 22 Premier League games.
Dawson, 31, is a strong and experienced defender who can also play at right-back if and when required.
Kurt Zouma
Kurt Zouma ended his seven-year stay at Chelsea to join West Ham in a £29.8million deal.
The Frenchman, 26, a Champions League winner with Chelsea, brings a winning mentality and a lot of experience to the Hammers. He is also at the perfect age to start a new adventure in his career and is expected to walk straight into Moyes’ starting XI.
Zouma, who is an upgrade on Dawson, has the tools to make an immediate impact at the London Stadium.
Nikola Vlasic
After failing to make an impression at Everton a few summers ago, Nikola Vlasic left the Merseysiders and joined Russian giants CSKA Moscow. With CSKA Moscow, he got his career back on track and is now back to the Premier League.
Nikola Vlasic is a creative midfielder who can also operate down the wide areas, and such versatility will add value to West Ham’s squad. The Croat deserved another shot at Premier League football and should only improve training alongside some exciting attacking talents at West Ham.
Alex Kral
Alex Kral has joined West Ham on loan from Spartak Moscow with an option to buy. He’s a highly-rated young midfielder who was a part of the Czech Republic squad for Euro 2020.
The 23-year-old fits into a midfield that has Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Pablo Fornals and will add depth, whilst possibly being the long-term replacement for the ageing Mark Noble.
Outs
Felipe Anderson is the only high-profile player to depart the London Stadium, with the Brazilian returning permanently to Lazio. Youngsters such as Frederik Alves and Conor Coventry have sealed loan moves to Sunderland and Peterborough respectively.
Could compete for another top-six finish—7/10
The way West Ham moved round the clock since last week to clinch deals for Kurt Zouma, Nikola Vlasic and Alex Kral was really impressive. The new players are certainly going to lift the quality in the squad as well as bring competition, giving Moyes options to rotate his troops throughout this season.
However, the one gaping hole remains in terms of a back-up striker to Michail Antonio. The 31-year-old is injury prone and has no cover should he suffer more injury problems under any circumstances; so, Moyes will have to use Antonio cautiously this season.
