Some West Ham fans took to Twitter in order to react to the club officially confirming that midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate had left to join Crystal Palace.
The Hammers confirmed via a brief statement on their official website that the 28-year-old, who earned £60,000-a-week at the London Stadium (Source: Spotrac), had joined Roy Hodgson’s side on a permanent basis for undisclosed fee.
The Premier League side opted to state in their post regarding Kouyate’s exit that the midfielder will always hold a special place in the club’s history as he scored the first goal at the London Stadium.
This sentiment was shared by a section of Hammers supporters on Twitter with one even dramatically questioning the club by asking what have they done.
Forever West Ham have rounded a handful of tweets about Kouyate sealing his exit from the London Stadium:
you're with tomkins now sweet prince
— Will (@WattupWill) August 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/whumark/status/1024785925803573249
Gutted about this, such a great character. Whilst he’s not had the greatest of times over the last couple of seasons, he certainly had some great games in claret & blue. Will be hard seeing him in Palace colours!
— Scott (@Scott_Burgess) August 1, 2018
People that are celebrating his move need to remember he has been a loyal servant and saw us through good and bad times. A decent bloke to add, he didn’t perform to his level in the last season but I wish him the absolute best, thanks chiek!!
— Louis Tasker (@Taskeerrr) August 1, 2018
Thanks @PapiCheikhou forever a hammer ⚒ don’t score against us.
— Jace De Souza (@desouza1994) August 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/CallumWHU_/status/1024809766953123840
https://twitter.com/imran484_khan/status/1024788236210720770
Good luck cheik, love the bloke but he was bang average and found out after his first 2 years
— Tom Edwards (@T0M_EDWARDS) August 1, 2018
This is a weird one, not sure if I’m happy or not. One things for sure his positive attitude will be missed! All the best for the future cheikhou
— Charlie Ives (@CharlieIves92) August 1, 2018
OPINION
While the midfielder clearly had a disappointing 2017/18 campaign, it seems a selection of Hammers supporters didn’t want it to be forgotten that he was once an assets to the side. A lot of fans opted to compliment Kouyate’s character which is understandable as he always had a smile on his face. However with Manuel Pellegrini revamping the Hammers’ squad this summer then a disappointing exit was always going to happen. It is a shame to bid farewell to a player that has been nothing but a loyal servant to the club, but as some fans refer to, his performances weren’t up to scratch in his latest campaign. While Hammers supporters won’t want to see their London rivals, Palace, excel in their upcoming campaign there will be a selection hoping that Kouyate proves his talents at his new club.
