The Hammers Top TEN Best Loanees

The transfer window. Love it or hate it, it’s usually a period of head scratching and nail biting for West Ham United fans. We are either desperately clinging to the hope that our best players will be overlooked or that an experienced performer fancies playing at the Boleyn for peanuts. Not this year though. After the disappointment of relegation it was inevitable that some players would leave, especially ones on a higher salary, off jogged Kieron Dyer, Hitzelsberger, Gabbidon and Ba, with Scotty Parker moving to Spurs later in the window. However in Sam Allardyce we have a shrewd footballing operator, someone who can identify quality signings in areas where the team is weak and improve the squad to ensure promotion (fingers crossed). In addition to the permanent signatures of Faye, Nolan, Taylor, Carew, O’Brien and Baldock, Sam has brought in some quality loan signings to further improve the depth in the squad.

10 – Edouard Cisse – 2002 – 2003 – 25 appearances.

Edouard Cisse joined from PSG and despite playing in a team with the likes of Carrick, Cole, Defoe and DiCanio, never quite managed to shine. Sometimes showing exquisite skill and some strength in midfield, his end product was often lacking. His style was much like that of fellow countryman Freddie Kanoute; lazy, languid and even relaxed at times, offering the impression that he wasn’t fully committed.

9 – David Di Michele – 2008/2009 – 30 appearances

David Di Michele joined from Torino as a forward with the ability to inject some flair into our front line. Making his debut against Newcastle he scored two delightful goals, highlighting his skill and finishing with his favoured left foot. Hopes were high but Di Michele failed to show the same effort and skill for the rest of the loan spell.

8 – Dani Carvalho – 1995/1996 – 9 appearances

 

Dani Carvalho joined from Sporting Lisbon with the aim of getting rid of his playboy reputation. Predominantly a left winger, he’d already been capped by Portugal and rated the best young talent in Portugal, so expectation was high. He turned out to be another player with great potential who failed to live up to his billing and was fired after just 9 games, allegedly for not turning up for training after a visit to a nightclub. His playboy looks prompted Harry Redknapp to tell the press, “He is so good looking I don’t know whether to play him or sh*g him”. He retired from the game, at the age of 27.

7 – Jon Harley – 2003/2004 – 15 appearances

Jon Harley joined from Fulham and ingratiated himself to the West Ham faithful immediately, scoring a 25 yard curler on his debut against Sheffield United. His dead ball prowess and tendency to break forward provided support to the developing Matthew Etherington but Jon lacked pace. His roving attacks down the left meant he was often out of position and was frequently left treading water against speedy wingers.

6 – Wayne Bridge – 2011 – 15 appearances

Wayne Bridge joined the hammers from Manchester City for the remainder of the 2010/2011 season and began his stay with a nightmare debut against Arsenal. A rampant Theo Walcott terrorized him as his lack of fitness and game time shone through, being at fault for all three goals in a 3-0 loss. As the matches progressed he began to recover some semblance of form and looked solid, if not outstanding.

5 – Hugo Porfirio – 1996/1997 – 23 appearances

Hugo Porfirio joined the Hammers from Sporting Lisbon for the 96/97 season under Harry Redknapp. A memorable long range effort during a snowy away game at Wrexham was the highlight of his 4 goals during his time at the club. He was a skillful winger who had good pace and creativity, having been capped 3 times by Portugal. Many West Ham United fans were looking to see him signed permanently but Hugo saw his future at a bigger club. He went from West Ham to lower league Portuguese clubs and finished his career in Saudi Arabia.

4 – Victor Obinna – 2010/2011 – 25 appearances

Victor Obinna joined from Internazionale, on the recommendation from Nwankwo Kanu, to join Avram Grant at Upton Park. The highlight of his stay was an FA Cup hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest. His definitive low point was the Red card against Birmingham for a kick at Sebastian Larsson’s private parts. Contributing 9 assists and 3 goals playing wide in a 4-3-3 formation showed his potential but his volatility and lack of awareness of team play showed his youth and experience. Relegation meant the option to make his contract permanent was not activated.

IF ONE OF OUR READERS CAN FIND A PICTURE OF DAVID SPEEDIE IN A WEST HAM KIT, THEY WILL RECIEVE A SPECIAL MENTION IN THE NEXT ARTICLE

3 – David Speedie – 1992/1993 – 11 appearances

David Speedie joined West Ham from Southampton to play under Billy Bonds at Upton Park. With West Ham looking to achieve automatic promotion Speedie gave the strike force added bite and determination, even though not widely liked for his Chelsea roots. Against Bristol City he took 88 minutes of abuse from the West Ham faithful in a match that would decide promotion. He bravely headed in a last gasp winner, getting a kick in the head for his trouble. His impact during his short spell, scoring 4 goals in 11 games, helped West Ham achieve promotion that season, finishing as runners up.

2 – Frederic Kanoute – 2000 – 8 appearances

Frederic Kanoute joined from Olympique Lyonnais and formed a solid partnership with Paolo Di Canio, resulting in Harry Redknapp signing him permanently. He was equally praised for his ability and skill as he was spoken badly of for his lazy and languid style of play. On the up he showed flashes of pace, skill and finishing akin to any premier league striker of the time. However, when things weren’t going well he gave the impression that he wasn’t fully committed, giving the fans an easy target. Relegation at the end of the 2002/2003 season saw him move to Tottenham for £3.5 million. 

1 – Michael Hughes – 1994/1996 – 46 appearances 

Michael Hughes joined West Ham from RC Strasbourg, spending two seasons on loan before making a permanent switch. The Northern Ireland winger made his debut in a 2-1 defeat at QPR in December 1994 and went on to become a fans favourite. He is best remembered for scoring in the match that prevented Manchester United winning the title in 1995. He is currently the co-owner of IFA Premiership side Carrick Rangers. 

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