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<p>19th Position in the League</p>
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<img alt="West Ham struggles: Fewest Premier League points in 2025 and an ageing squad - What has gone wrong?" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/west-ham-spotlight-1761829763-181657.png" title="West Ham struggles: Fewest Premier League points in 2025 and an ageing squad - What has gone wrong?"></img>
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<p>With only seven goals scored and 20 conceded, West Ham’s season has started dismally—one win paired with seven defeats. The performances have been even more concerning: sluggish, uninspired, and lacking any semblance of a "new manager bounce" despite Nuno Espiríto Santo taking over from Graham Potter. West Ham's issues extend beyond the pitch; in 2025, no team has earned fewer points than the Hammers, excluding newly-promoted and relegated teams.</p>
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<img alt="" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/fewest-points-pl-west-ham-1761826393-181636.png?lm=1761826401" width="503"></img>
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<p>The East London club’s recent habit of losing matches is alarming. Currently, they languish in 19th place in the Premier League standings, facing a challenging match against Newcastle this Sunday. If their form doesn't drastically improve, relegation is a looming threat. After 14 consecutive seasons in the Premier League, following their promotion in 2012, how did a team that won the Europa Conference League just two years ago find itself in such a predicament?</p>
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<h2>West Ham's Troubling Recruitment</h2>
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<p>Few clubs in the Premier League manifest a larger disconnect between management and fans than West Ham. Discontent has been brewing since 2018, when a coin was thrown at co-owner David Sullivan during a 3-0 home loss to Burnley, resulting in his being escorted from the pitch. Although former manager David Moyes brought temporary stability, the underlying unrest has persisted.</p>
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<p>The club's recruitment strategy has been particularly problematic. The current squad is both underwhelming and aging. While Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paquetá are talented players, the latter's inconsistency and rumored desire to leave in January highlight broader issues. The rest of the team struggles in terms of both quality and energy.</p>
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<img alt="" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/average-age-west-ham-updated-1761831701-181658.png?lm=1761831708" width="503"></img>
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<p>As shown in the graphic, since the 2023/24 season, West Ham has the second-highest average age for permanent signings in the Premier League, at 24.32 years, trailing only Fulham at 25.28, who made far fewer transfers. West Ham has brought in six players aged 28 or over—like striker Niclas Füllkrug, 33, and midfielder Guido Rodríguez, 31—neither of whom has made a significant impact. In that same period, the club has invested €432.8 million, with the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal for €116.6 million highlighting their struggles in midfield.</p>
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>Arsenal FC</p>
<p>West Ham United</p>
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<p>€120.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€8.00m</p>
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<p>Central Midfield</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Central Midfield</p>
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<p>30/06/2028</p>
<p>Contract until</p>
<p>30/06/2027</p>
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<p><span>Full Player Comparison</span></p>
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<p>Initially, the signings of Edson Álvarez and James Ward-Prowse seemed wise, suggesting the transfer funds from Rice were well-used. However, it's become evident that both he and Rodríguez, who was signed on a free, lack the required pace to support Tomáš Souček, who is now 30 himself. This midfield weakness is exploited by opponents consistently. Although younger players like El Hadji Malick Diouf, 20, who joined for €22m from Slavia Praha, offer some hope, the squad overall appears aging and fatigued—a frustrating sight for fans who have other grievances regarding the club.</p>
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<h2>The London Stadium Lacks Fortitude</h2>
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<p>Upton Park was a formidable venue; its proximity to the pitch and the immense atmosphere created a daunting environment for visiting teams. The current home, the London Stadium, is viewed as an empty athletics venue. Many fans felt coerced into the move, under false pretenses. The stadium’s unique design—complete with an athletics track, significant distances between stands, and the absence of traditional pubs—means that playing away at West Ham lacks the intimidation it once held, neither replicating the beloved matchday experience for the supporters.</p>
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<p>This Sunday, a 'sit-in' protest is scheduled during the match against Newcastle, orchestrated by the 'Hammers United' group. Fans intend to remain in the stands during post-match interviews to demand changes in the club's management. Unrest remains pervasive, and connections with the fanbase are lacking. For this to change, improvements in club management are essential, both on and off the pitch. A potential relegation to the Championship might be the shake-up needed to rebuild. It's shocking to see the club in disarray after their continental glory just two years ago, but for devoted fans, the current state may be less surprising. This speaks volumes about the current situation.</p>
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