Troy Deeney says he’s ‘sad’ watching West Ham star who can’t play in the Premier League anymore

Add as preferred source on Google

It’s gone from bad to worse for Graham Potter at West Ham and the axe looks set to fall.

The 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace at the weekend increased the speculation over Potter’s position and it seems just a matter of time before a change in the dugout is made.

TBR Football understands West Ham have spoken to Nuno Espirito Santo and Gary O’Neil, while Slaven Bilic is also a frontrunner for the job eight years on from his dismissal.

But the blame for the club’s precarious situation cannot fall on Potter’s shoulders alone.

Indeed, Troy Deeney believes the Hammers’ squad are also responsible, and in a brutal verdict, he singled out one player in particular despite considering them a friend.

• READ MORE: Five free agent managers West Ham could target as Graham Potter faces sacking pressure

Troy Deeney says West Ham striker Callum Wilson “can’t do it”

West Ham signed Callum Wilson as a free agent during the summer after his Newcastle United contract expired, and, at least on paper, he looked a savvy arrival.

He even scored his first goal in the Hammers’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last month, a result which looked to have bought the beleaguered Graham Potter more time.

But the 33-year-old has since drawn a blank in back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and Deeney admitted he has been saddened watching his performances for West Ham.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Final Word, Deeney said: “Callum Wilson, a friend of mine. I like him, got a lot of time for him.

“It was sad watching him play. His body, it’s just gone now, it’s gone.

“He was quick, he was rapid, but I think he had a couple of moments in that game where the old Callum would have run away from people, and he just can’t do it anymore. It’s a shame, because he is a really good lad.”

• READ MORE: Slaven Bilic has already made his feelings very clear on replacing Graham Potter at West Ham

Latest Graham Potter West Ham future update

With his players misfiring and his tactics backfiring, Potter does look like a dead man walking at the London Stadium, and what little hope he has of saving the sinking ship is fading.

Reports have suggested West Ham are delaying the inevitable and that they will eventually pull the trigger during the next international break in October.

Taking to X, Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol revealed that owner David Sullivan has told Potter he must pick up “four or five points” from upcoming matches against Crystal Palace, Everton and Arsenal.

Living week to week is not a sustainable approach, especially in the Premier League, and the walls will surely continue to close in around Potter. His days are numbered, that’s for sure.