This could prove to be a big summer for Slaven Bilic and West Ham. Having already secured the signing of Valencia winger, Sofiane Feghouli, they will look to make a real statement of ambition this summer by spending big and looking to make their first season at the Olympic Stadium a memorable one.
In order to progress from the 7th place finish last season, and to do well in the Europa League, Bilic will need to add quality to his squad, and to do that he will have to spend. The Hammers have already been throwing large bids about but they will also look to shift some deadwood from the squad to free up some cash and bolster the quality in the side.
Bilic may have to axe some fairly big names in order to continue improving next season, but bold decisions at this stage of the season could well prove to be the key to a great season ahead. We’ve picked out these FOUR West Ham players that Bilic should show the door to this summer…
Hit Bilic below to see FOUR West Ham players he has to axe!
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ANDY CARROLL
Quite possibly the biggest flop in Premier League history, it is high time Andy Carroll left West Ham (or maybe just retired). The 27-year-old is good for one last-ditch “look at me” hat-trick and a funny vine or photo a season, but aside from that he really offers very little to Slaven Bilic.
As well as this he is more than likely to be on a sizeable wage, a small portion of which he just about deserves, and The Hammers would be much better off paying that wage to a proven goalscorer.
JAMES COLLINS
Collins is a good defender but may just be past his best at West Ham. At the age of 32 and with the likes of Tomkins, Reid and Ogbonna in the side Collins spot in the squad could well be given to someone slightly more valuable.
With three centre-halves comfortable in the Premier League, Bilic could look to replace the Welsh international with an exciting youngster.
DIAFRA SAKHO
A potentially controversial one but well worth a mention. Sakho made a good start to life at West Ham in his first season with the club scoring 12 goals in 26 appearances, but just 7 in 24 in the last campaign is nowhere near a good enough record for a club that want to be challenging the top four and leaving their mark in Europe next season.
As with Carroll, Sakho’s wage is one that would be much better spent elsewhere, whether that be bringing in an experienced top striker or a wonder-kid from the continent.
DIMITRI PAYET
Hear me out Hammers fans, there is some logic here somewhere, I think. Yes Payet is a sensational footballer who lit up the Premier League and is currently the star man in the France squad BUT everyone is replaceable.
No West Ham fan would want to see Payet leave but, especially if he continues his majestic form at EURO 2016, the transfer fee that the French talisman could command is bewildering. There are a host of clubs interested in Payet and according to Sky Sports some clubs are considering bids of around £60m, which for a 29-year-old, would be almost impossible to turn down.
