These are good times at West Ham – they’re being sensible
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West Ham United will hope to forget last season as quickly as possible, and, on the basis of their summer purchases so far, they’re going the right way about it.
They’ve made four signings in this transfer window, and no, that’s not exactly ground-breaking.
But the remarkable thing is that all four of the new arrivals, in our opinion at least, are excellent and sensible additions.
It points to some fine business from the Hammers, a side known for more than a few surprise dealings in the past.
Let’s start at the back.
Joe Hart is a top-line goalkeeper with bags of experience. He’s a great addition and should add some much-needed calm and composure to a West Ham defence torn apart too many times last season.
What’s more, the Hammers have persuaded Manchester City to allow Hart to leave on-loan, meaning there’s no heavy upfront payment.
Then there’s Pablo Zabaleta, a warhorse if ever there was one.
Like his former City stablemate Hart, the Spaniard has seen it all over the years with more than 500 career games under his belt.
A cult hero with the Citizens, Zabaleta is still only 32-years-old and still has plenty left in the tank. A fine free transfer.
Moving forward, and the Irons’ big-money arrival is of Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City.
Something of a mercurial talent, the Hammers will be hoping the Austrian continues to produce the magic he showed in Staffordshire. He might not be Dimitri Payet, but Arnautovic has shown a great knack for setting up team-mates.
And that’s where fox-in-the-box Javier Hernandez comes in.
The Mexican still boasts the fifth-best goals-per-minute ratio in the Premier League, and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has frequently made clear his frustration at not having Hernandez at his disposal.
It doesn’t matter how he scores, the fact is he scores. In and around the box there are few better – especially for just £13m.
And this is all in addition to Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Michail Antonio, three of the toughest men to defend against in the top-flight.
Then there’s a fully-fit Andre Ayew while Manuel Lanzini should continue to improve.
These a positive signs for the Hammers, and they look remarkably good value at 6/5 for a top-ten finish this season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
