“Sell Him Now!” Lopetegui’s Unforgiving Stance on £17m Underachiever
Julen Lopetegui seems determined to part ways with one West Ham United player who has fallen far short of expectations.
Since arriving at the London Stadium this summer to succeed David Moyes, Lopetegui has wasted no time reshaping the squad to better align with his vision. His tenure has already seen a significant overhaul of the team, but the Spaniard’s work is far from done. As he continues to navigate the challenges of managing in East London, Lopetegui remains under pressure to deliver results. If he can weather the storm, his sights will undoubtedly be set on further strengthening the squad in the next transfer window.
However, building a better team will require more than just signing new talent. Lopetegui must also address the issue of underperforming players who are draining resources without contributing effectively. While he managed to offload several players during the summer transfer window, many of them departed on temporary loan deals rather than permanent transfers. For a club with limited financial flexibility like West Ham, clearing space on the wage bill through permanent sales will be critical to facilitating future acquisitions.
Maxwel Cornet’s Struggles Continue
One player who appears to be at the top of Lopetegui’s list of potential departures is Maxwel Cornet. According to The Athletic, West Ham are actively seeking to offload the winger, who has struggled to justify his £17 million price tag since joining the club from Burnley in 2022. Despite his reputation as a versatile and dynamic player during his Burnley days, Cornet’s time at West Ham has been nothing short of disastrous.
Cornet’s lackluster performances led to his loan move to Southampton during the summer transfer window, but a change of scenery has done little to reignite his form. The Ivorian international has made just four appearances for the Saints this season, amassing a mere 187 minutes on the pitch. His inability to establish himself at either club raises questions about what has gone wrong since he left Turf Moor, where he once displayed such promise.
A Tough Sell for Lopetegui
Moving Cornet on will not be an easy task for West Ham. The player’s diminishing performances and limited impact at Southampton make it unlikely that the Hammers will recoup anywhere near the £17 million they invested in him. For Lopetegui, successfully selling Cornet for a respectable fee would be nothing short of a minor miracle.
The pressure is on the West Ham manager to find a buyer, as doing so would free up valuable resources for reinvestment. Offloading Cornet would not only lighten the wage bill but also send a clear message that underperformance will not be tolerated under Lopetegui’s regime.
The Road Ahead
As West Ham look to navigate the January and summer transfer windows, the focus will be on balancing the squad’s needs with financial prudence. While Cornet’s exit seems inevitable, Lopetegui must also ensure that any incoming players fit seamlessly into his plans and improve the team’s overall quality.
For now, the challenge of transforming West Ham into a more competitive and financially sustainable side continues. Whether Cornet’s departure proves to be a turning point or simply a footnote in Lopetegui’s rebuilding efforts remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the clock is ticking for both Cornet and Lopetegui to deliver on their respective fronts.
