Since the arrival of Graham Potter, West Ham United have opted for a more defensive approach, often starting in a back five, looking to have extra solidity in the side.
However, this has come at a cost, with the Hammers only scoring 33 goals this season, ranking 16th in the Premier League for goals scored per game.
West Ham are only averaging 47.4% possession, and whilst it is a big increase from last campaign’s 40.1% possession average, it still ranks 15th in the Premier League in this metric. The Hammers also only average 12.9 shots per game, ranking 12th in this metric in the division.
It is clear Potter himself knows his side has to improve, but getting to the summer and allowing him to invest in some players to help implement his style of play to a better degree would be a huge positive, with links already beginning to emerge for some summer targets.
West Ham targeting the next Kudus
According to reports from journalist Graeme Bailey, West Ham are interested in FC Twente star, Sem Steijn. Other Premier League clubs such as Bournemouth, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Wolves are also scouting the youngster, who has been excellent in the Eredivisie this season.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has made 39 appearances for FC Twente this season, scoring 26 goals and providing six assists in his 3,129 minutes played. Whilst English clubs have already sent scouts to watch the young midfielder, reports also suggest interest is emerging from Germany and France.
As we know, West Ham have already had success when buying from the Eredivisie, signing Mohammed Kudus back in 2023, joining from Ajax for a fee worth around £38m.
Why Steijn could be the next Kudus
Since joining the club, Kudus has made 72 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 17 goals, providing eight assists and totalling 5,634 minutes played. His form has tailed off in the 2024/25 campaign, but his debut Premier League season was certainly explosive, showing exactly what the 24-year-old has to offer.
Goals
0.37
0.75
Assists
0.17
0.16
xG
0.23
0.29
xAG
0.14
0.03
Progressive Carries
3.99
1.03
Progressive Passes
2.96
3.21
Shots Total
2.52
2.96
Key Passes
1.14
2.05
Shot-Creating Actions
3.52
2.05
When comparing the underlying metrics of Kudus in his first season at West Ham and Steijn’s current season in the Eredivisie, the 23-year-old comes out on top in five of the nine metrics analysed, offering better goal output, generating more xG, taking more shots, making more progressive passes and more key passes per 90.
Football Wonderkids on X (formerly Twitter) labeled Steijn a “ruthless” goalscorer, which is something the Hammers desperately need, even if it doesn’t come from the centre-forward. Adding that extra goal threat will only improve the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Kudus too, having a big overall impact on the side.
Whilst not all things are linear, Kudus’ integration from the Eredivisie to the Premier League could be a good sign for West Ham when recruiting “Twente’s biggest jewel” – in the words of talent scout Jacek Kulig – with the Hammers clearly hoping if they do choose to sign the 23-year-old, he could come and have an instant impact.
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