West Ham: Graham Potter targets midfield reinforcements after Hammers sanction Edson Alvarez exit | OneFootball

Hammers take on London rivals this Friday

Graham Potter has confirmed West Ham are targeting midfield reinforcements before the end of the transfer window.

The Hammers, whose midfield was pulled apart in devastating fashion against Sunderland last weekend, also saw a £45m enquiry for Andrey Santos knocked back by Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Edson Alvarez is poised to complete a loan move to Fenerbache, which will allow West Ham to accelerate their pursuit of a midfielder.

The club’s vice-chair, Karen Brady, revealed in an interview with talkSPORT that West Ham were looking to add more pace and athleticism in the middle of the park, and Potter has reaffirmed Brady’s assertions.

“I think the profile is one that we think about privately, to be honest, because I think that helps us in the market,” Potter told the media.

“We have to try to find the right players always. As I repeat, it's about the right player, the right profile, the right person always.

“That isn't easy to do, especially when you've got restrictions you have because of PSR. Every club has. As I said last week, it's not like we can go for [Alexander] Isak. We have a certain market, and that's fine,” he added.

“Our job is to try to look for players that can improve us externally, and at the same time, look for players and help the players we have here.”

Academy graduate Freddie Potts, who enjoyed a productive loan spell at Portsmouth last season, is one player who could offer a solution in midfield, and Potter praised how quickly the 21-year-old had adapted to life in the first team.

West Ham, who enjoyed a strong pre-season, were convincingly beaten by newly promoted Sunderland on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Amid a raft of other issues, West Ham’s midfield looked strikingly ill-equipped to handle Sunderland’s young, energetic team, conceding three second-half goals as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light.

“It's a disappointing result. Of course it is. There's no getting away from that. It's a bad result,” Potter admitted.

Midfield has been an area of concern for Potter all summer, who ideally wants two midfielders before the window closes, but the club, despite identifying a number of targets, have yet to bring in any fresh faces.

Meanwhile, Guido Rodriguez, who started against Sunderland, remains at the club despite uncertainty around his future.

West Ham host Chelsea on Friday night, looking for a morale-boosting performance against their London rivals.

Chelsea looked flat in their goalless draw with Crystal Palace last weekend, but their wealth of attacking riches mean they have more than enough to trouble West Ham’s midfield, given the chance.

Enzo Maresca’s side seem like the ultimate litmus test for West Ham under Potter.

Come through Friday unscathed, and optimism will flood back into the Hammers’ season. Give Chelsea the freedom they afforded Sunderland, and you feel Potter’s day are numbered even at this early stage.