A month has gone by since the transfer window slammed shut and we look at how West Ham United’s transfers both in and out have performed.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers were forced sell wantaway star Payet back to Marseille for £25 million last month while striker Simone Zaza saw his loan move from Juventus terminated early as he joined Valencia.
Slaven Bilic did reinforce his squad with the signings of Jose Fonte for £8 million from Southampton and Robert Snodgrass from Hull for £10 million.
Now one month since the window closed we look at how those players have performed for their respective clubs.
West Ham United’s Jose Fonte
Jose Fonte
When the Hammers signed 33-year-old Fonte for £8 million the only question mark was over the Portuguese’s age.
A European Championship winner with Portugal last summer, ‘the champ’ – as the hugely popular player was known at the Saints – was brought in as cover for Angelo Ogbonna who needed a season-ending operation and because he has vast Premier League experience.
Barring a disastrous debut which saw him give away a penalty in a 4-0 humbling at home to Manchester City, Fonte has slotted in seamlessly and has showed just why Bilic brought him to the club with some towering displays so far.
The player keeps himself in great shape and the club will undoubtedly get another season or two out of him in which his experience and leadership will prove vital.
Rating: 8/10
West Ham United’s Robert Snodgrass looks dejected
Robert Snodgrass
With prices going through the roof for even the most average players in recent windows, it is difficult to know whether £10m for Snodgrass is good business or not.
Another proven Premier League player but operating at a lower level with the likes of Norwich City and Hull, the Scotland international has also slotted in seamlessly to West Ham’s squad, although he has found things more difficult on the pitch.
He is yet to contribute anything of note in terms of goals and assists and was substituted midway through the draw with Watford last time out after a miserable display.
Nobody can question his workrate but it remains to be seen whether Snodgrass can really make the kind of impact needed for West Ham to push the club on.
It was always going to be tough replacing Payet but in terms of ability and impact so far, Snodgrass is nowhere near that level. He will be hoping to prove himself during the remainder of the season.
Rating: 5/10
Competition: Win West Ham United documentary Iron Men on DVD
Zaza scored a lovely goal against Real Madrid
Simone Zaza
Zaza was held up as West Ham’s marquee striker signing in the summer after signing a season-long loan from Juventus.
But he endured a torrid six months in the English top flight, barely registering a shot on target let alone a goal for Bilic’s side.
A bizarre obligation to buy clause in his contract – a departure from the usual option to buy – was due to be activated for an eye-watering £25 million after 14 games.
It ended up being an albatross around his and the club’s neck and it was in the best interests of all concerned to terminate the deal before it reached that stage.
Now on loan at Valencia in Spain, Zaza has started to show signs of life again and scored a brilliant goal to inflict a shock 2-1 defeat on Real Madrid last week.
That was his second goal in seven appearances. Perhaps if he had managed that at West Ham he’d still be there now but the truth is La Liga probably suits the player infinitely more than the rough and tumble of the Premier League.
Rating: 7/10
Struggling: A dejected Payet has not found his form yet for Marseille
Dimitri Payet
No West Ham fan wanted to see the man with magic in his boots leave the club but when he started acting up to force a move there was only ever going to be one outcome.
Payet was upsetting team morale at West Ham and the club has drastically improved since his departure, rising as high as ninth in the table with some spirited performances.
That said, an in-form Payet would be sorely missed by any team and the Hammers do lack that sparkle without him.
It was an impossible situation for Bilic but one the manager handled well.
And so far West Ham don’t seem to be missing much as the Frenchman has struggled to recapture his imperious form of last season and the summer with his national team.
A solitary goal – a wicked deflection from a free-kick – against Guingamp in front of a half empty Stade Velodrome is all Payet has to show since his return and was ineffective as Marseille were hammered 5-1 by Paris Saint Germain last time out.
Rating: 4/10
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