West Ham United manager David Moyes has outlined his desire for the Club to bring in young, hungry talent in future transfer windows.
Speaking at his press conference prior to Wednesday evening’s Premier League game against Liverpool, Moyes discussed the advantages of bringing in younger players first and foremost, with an eye on making the most of their potential.
I want it to be the vision for the Club that we’re looking to bring in young, attractive, hungry players who are saying ‘we’re going to make West Ham better'
David Moyes
Moyes referenced the success this approach brought to his former club Everton, where the Scottish manager harnessed future international talents including Wayne Rooney and Joleon Lescott and brought them to the top of the English game.
“I want to stop the idea that what we’re doing is just buying someone who will fill the gap,” Moyes observed. “I want it to be the vision for the Club that we’re looking to bring in young, attractive, hungry players who are saying ‘we’re going to make West Ham better’.
“I know about footballers and I think players who are hungry and players who are trying to climb that ladder, trying to be Premier League footballers, we have to have a mix of that.
“What you’ll find is that they’re not all necessarily ready to play immediately. That’s my biggest thing. [At Everton] people like Leighton Baines, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka needed six months, but once they got up to the speed…
“What we’ve been trying to do over the years is buy someone who’s ready-made and can come straight in. I’m saying stop - let’s go for people who we think are young, future internationals.”
Moyes went on to expand on the difficulties of recruiting such targets in the January transfer window, particularly with little time available for any signings to adapt to Premier League life with picking up points a priority.
While transfer speculation will surround every club until the close of the window on Friday evening, the West Ham United manager also reiterated his desire to harness the excellent talent already at the Club.
“To expect somebody to come in in January and hit the ground running, it’d need to be someone from right out the Premier League,” he explained.
“You’ve got to focus on what you have, not what you don’t, because we’ve got 20 players in there or so and I need to get the best out of them that I can. My focus is on the big group and trying to get the best out of them.”
