West Ham United’s unfortunate defeat at the hands of Fulham marked a significant setback, as they suffered their first home Premier League loss to the visitors in 23 years at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Despite a promising start from the Hammers, goals in each half from Andreas Pereira proved decisive for Fulham. Pereira’s first goal, somewhat fortuitous, came at a crucial juncture, halting West Ham’s early momentum. Later, on the 72nd minute, he capitalized on a swift counter-attack involving Alex Iwobi to secure victory for Fulham.
The defeat leaves David Moyes’ side in eighth place in the standings, highlighting the disappointment of dropping points at home. With an upcoming away fixture against Crystal Palace on Sunday, April 21st, Moyes and his team will be eager to bounce back and regain momentum in their pursuit of a higher league position.
The result signifies a missed opportunity for West Ham to distance themselves from fellow European hopefuls, prompting discussions about summer transfer plans. One major decision has already been made regarding the departure of a high earner: Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips, on loan from Manchester City since January, has struggled to make a positive impact during his time at West Ham. Despite being backed by manager David Moyes, his loan spell is not expected to be made permanent.
West Ham reportedly paid £3 million for the loan and covered Phillips’ £140,000-per-week wages, but Manchester City’s valuation of around £30 million for a permanent transfer has led West Ham to look elsewhere.
Phillips’ disappointing performances have also impacted his international prospects. He is unlikely to be selected for England’s EURO 2024 squad, further complicating his future. Manchester City, eager to offload Phillips and recoup some of their investment, are willing to move on from the midfielder after limited appearances under Pep Guardiola.
The decision to part ways with Phillips underscores West Ham’s commitment to making strategic moves in the transfer market. While the current focus remains on securing a higher league position, preparations for the summer window are already underway.
Despite the disappointment of dropping points against Tottenham, West Ham’s management is determined to make decisions that will benefit the club in the long term.
As the season progresses, West Ham will continue to assess their squad and identify areas for improvement. While the immediate priority is achieving success on the pitch, the club’s forward-thinking approach ensures that plans for the future are firmly in place.
With careful consideration and strategic planning, West Ham aims to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level of English football.