West Ham United are active in the transfer market, signing eight players so far this summer.
Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, and it was no surprise to see them ask the manager about the Hammers’ business so far in this window.
Responding to that, the manager insisted that West Ham are still working to bring in more new faces to the club in the next few weeks.
“We had a short [small] squad, and the idea is to have two players per position. We haven’t achieved that yet… but we are working on it,” he said.
“All the signings are to our liking and that of the sporting management. No coach should hold the keys to the future of the club. The idea was to bring in players who could know the Premier League so that British culture is in the dressing room, and then to be able to mix different ways of understanding football.”
The Premier League side have also signed Guido Rodríguez on a free transfer. He joined West Ham after spending four years at Real Betis.
Back in June, West Ham’s Edson Álvarez picked up an injury during the Copa América. The newspaper asked the Spaniard if Rodríguez was a priority for West Ham because of the Mexican’s injury.
“It’s a very important position. Guido comes to help us in that position. He has experience and a very interesting career. He is very intelligent positionally. He has to adapt as soon as possible to the rhythm of English football,” Lopetegui explained.
On the expectations of the West Ham owners, he said: “The owners want the team to be as competitive as possible and to create a long-term project. But we have to focus on the present. I wouldn’t talk about ‘Big Six’ or ‘Big Ten’. Any team can beat anyone in the Premiership. And the grades will come in May.”
West Ham will host Aston Villa in the first game of the new season on Saturday.
