After a challenging start to 2017, West Ham United have enjoyed a January resurgence in the Premier League. Now occupying tenth in the table, Slaven Bilic’s Hammers go into Wednesday night’s fixture against Manchester City at London Stadium having scored three times in their last two matches.
With matches coming thick and fast, and players coming and going during the January transfer window, here’s a look at the events off the field to gauge ahead of City’s arrival at London Stadium on Wednesday.
The climax of this January’s transfer window is almost upon us, and the Hammers have been active of late, after weeks of rumours and rumblings.
In the window so far West Ham have added undoubted quality to their ranks. First to sign was Euro 2016-winning centre half Jose Fonte, Southampton’s captain. The Spaniard has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at London Stadium after seven years at St Mary’s, and praised the influence of Slaven Bilic in his move to East London.
"I thought that he really wanted me and that he sold me the project and the ambition of the club," said Fonte.
"I also have part of my family living in London and they are big West Ham fans. It just made sense for me at this stage to join West Ham.
"With the way that West Ham is going we can only look to be challenging in the top eight."
Fonte has been joined by Scottish international Robert Snodgrass, who has joined West Ham from Hull City.Â
The Tigers’ talisman opted for London Stadium despite competition from Premier League rivals Burnley and Middlesborough, Hull City accepting a £10.2 million bid for the 29-year-old from West Ham.
"I feel this is a club with real ambition, with the new stadium, great players and a manager of his calibre at Premier League level,†said Snodgrass.
"The club has had a few good weeks with results and if I can add to that, great. I'm just looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting started."
West Ham have also brought in England Under-19 international midfielder Nathan Holland from Everton, the 18-year-old signing a three-and-a-half year contract with the Hammers.
Wantaway midfielder Dimitri Payet has departed London Stadium for Marseille, in a deal worth £25 million to the Hammers. Despite chairman David Sullivan saying that he wanted Payet to stay with West Ham to make an example of him, Manager Slaven Bilic approved the Frenchman’s departure in the interest of squad unity.
Angelo Ogbonna is another absentee, requiring surgery on a long-standing knee injury and with the arrival of Fonte to the Hammers’ ranks, the Italy international will go under the knife after being asked to play in his side’s 3-1 win over Middlesborough.
Originally scheduled for Saturday 4 March, West Ham’s home fixture against Premier League table-toppers Chelsea has been moved to Monday 6 March, with kickoff now scheduled for 20:00.
