West Ham United’s night – and their season as a whole – could be summed up during one retina-gouging moment during that humiliating 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgui in 2016, knocked out in the Europa League play-offs by the Romanian minnows for the second year in a row.
Jonathan Calleri, a striker who arrived amid big expectations only a few weeks ago, found himself one-on-one with the visiting goalkeeper and seemed to loose all control of his limbs, stumbling over the ball as a golden opportunity went begging.
Shortly after, Astra Giurgui would take the lead and ensure that all the good work Slaven Bilic’s side produced in a fantastic 2015/16 season counted for nothing. Wasteful at one end, woeful at the other. That was the West Ham of a couple of years ago.
At the time, few of the disgruntled, disillusioned supporters sloping out of the London Stadium amid a chorus of boos would have believed that, just six years later, a team managed by David Moyes and inspired by Michail Antonio would be just 120 minutes away from a European final.
Antonio is almost certain to start if West Ham bypass Eintracht Frankfurt to set up a meeting with either Rangers or RB Leipzig on May 18th. But what happened to the rest of that Hammers side who bowed out with a whimper against a side now plying their trade in Romania’s second tier?
Darren Randolph
One of only three players in this team still at West Ham, the veteran is Moyes’ third-choice goalkeeper these days. Lukasz Fabianski and Alphonse Areola are both ahead of him in the pecking order.
Sam Byram
One of the most hotly-tipped youngsters in the EFL not so long ago, a relentless series of injuries have scuppered Byram’s hopes of realising his vast potential. The former Leeds youngster made just 17 league starts in West Ham colours.
He’ll be back in the Championship next season, presuming he stays at Norwich City of course.
Winston Reid
Another player who spent more time than he would have liked on the treatment table in recent seasons, the former Hammers captain had his contract terminated after over a decade in East London last September.
Reid, who helped Brentford secure promotion to the big time during a short-lived loan spell last season, is currently without a club.
Angelo Ogbonna
Ogbonna probably knows how his former centre-back partner felt. In the midst of arguably his finest form as a West Ham player a couple of months back, Ogbonna’s highly-promising season was brought to a premature conclusion when he ruptured his ACL in September’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool.
Reece Burke
The West Ham academy graduate started at left-back against Astra. But he’s made his name in a more central role down the divisions.
Burke was one of the first names on the team-sheet as Hull City stormed to the League One title in 2021. He might even be back in the big time next term, coupon-busting Luton Town on the verge of securing a shock play-off spot.
Havard Nordtveit
One of many forgettable signings in the ill-fated summer of 2016, the versatile Nordtveit certainly started as he meant go on at West Ham. Badly.
Shoved out the door just 13 months after arriving on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach, Nordtveit’s Hoffenheim career ended in heart-breaking fashion with a season-ending injury over the weekend.
Gokhan Tore
Remember him, West Ham fans? We don’t blame you if this 26-time Turkey international slipped your mind. After all, it’s not as if Tore left a lasting impression in claret-and-blue, playing just eight times.
The one-time Chelsea youngster is making up for lost time back home however. He helped Besiktas win the Super Lig title last year.
Pedro Obiang
Perhaps best remembered for that scorching strike against Tottenham Hotspur. Obiang promised much but delivered relatively little during his time in the English capital.
The one-time Spain U21 ace joined Serie A outfit Sassuolo in 2019. But he hasn’t kicked a ball in anger this term after being diagnosed with a breathing problem.
Cheikhou Kouyate
Is it any wonder West Ham failed to breach Astra’s rearguard with Obiang and Kouyate in the middle of the park? Neither player was particularly renowned for their defence-splitting capabilities after all.
Now 32, London neighbours Crystal Palace are making good use of Kouyate’s powerful frame and all-action style these days. The Senegal international’s future remains uncertain, however, with his contract expiring in a matter of weeks.
Michail Antonio
Back in 2016, he was a roving winger rather than a battering ram of a centre-forward back. Antonio – alongside Ogbonna – is arguably the only member of this West Ham side who bounced back from one of the most embarrassing results in their recent history.
Antonio was David Moyes’ top scorer last term and has another nine to his name this.
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Jonathan Calleri
What is it with West Ham and strikers? One of many, many centre-forwards who flopped spectacularly in the Gold and Sullivan era. Calleri netted just once for the club before embarking upon a nomadic career in La Liga. Remarkably, he represented four Spanish top-flight sides in four successive seasons.
The former Sao Paulo wonderkid is now back in Brazil, rejoining his old employers.
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