West Ham Faces Early Season Challenges

Although the 2025/26 Premier League season has barely begun, it is evident that West Ham is grappling with significant difficulties.

Struggles in Scoring and Defense

The team has conceded 16 goals, the highest in the league, while managing to score only six times, which ranks second lowest in terms of offensive output.

Need for Striker Options

Nuno Espirito Santo is now in charge of addressing these issues, with only Nottingham Forest and bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers having fewer goals than West Ham this season (five). As the January transfer window approaches, it is crucial for West Ham to begin scouting potential players who could transform their season.

Interest in Endrick

One player on their radar is Brazilian talent Endrick from Real Madrid. At 19, the young striker has been sidelined with no appearances since Xabi Alonso’s appointment as manager.

The coach explained, “He’s coming off a long injury and has been training well for three weeks. I must assess the context of the matches before he plays.”

World Cup Considerations for Endrick

With the World Cup looming, it’s understandable for Endrick to consider a temporary move away from Santiago Bernabéu if things do not change under Alonso’s management. Prior to his injury in May that kept him out of the Club World Cup, Endrick was receiving sporadic playtime from Carlo Ancelotti, the now-Brazil national team coach.

Although he participated in 37 games last season, he only started eight, accumulating merely 847 minutes of playing time. Nonetheless, having scored seven goals during that time shows his potential.

Despite only being part of select matches, his goal ratio is impressive, raising questions as to why he hasn’t had more opportunities in the starting lineup. Even with Kylian Mbappe solidifying his position as the main striker, Endrick’s contribution could warrant more playing time.

Competition with Vinicius Junior

Currently, Vinicius Junior is often chosen to accompany Mbappe in attack, which could be frustrating for players like Endrick and Rodrygo, who seek more recognition in the starting team.

Given West Ham’s sincere interest in Endrick, their need for scorers cannot be overlooked. This season, they have only recorded eight goals, with just four players finding the back of the net: Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Callum Wilson, and Tomas Soucek.

While Bowen has consistently performed well, Wilson’s age raises concerns about his capability moving forward. Endrick, though smaller than a typical English striker, possesses the skills necessary to assist West Ham in their fight for survival this season.

The Future of Endrick: Ancelotti and Nuno’s Role

It is clear to everyone, including Ancelotti, that Endrick is eager to demonstrate his talent on a grand stage. Real Madrid acquired him for a reason, and if they cannot fit him into their plans, a six-month loan to gain more experience would be beneficial for all parties involved.

The Premier League is known for its physicality, which may also help Endrick mature as a player, an aspect that could be enhanced by playing alongside familiar teammates and under a manager that speaks his language.

If he chooses to move to the English capital, there’s a strong likelihood that his role would bring him success. However, with other clubs like Valencia and Real Sociedad also interested, the path to West Ham is far from certain.