With domestic football back after the international break, Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham side face a tricky trip to the south coast for a Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

The Cherries have impressed this season, starting strongly and earning praise for their style of play. Though they’ve slipped from second to ninth, their 18 points still put them just four behind second-placed Manchester City.

West Ham, meanwhile, have shown some signs of improvement, with recent wins over Newcastle and Burnley helping them close in on the teams just above them. Yet, despite picking up 10 points in recent games, they remain dangerously close to the relegation zone, just two points above 14th-placed Newcastle. Positive results could see them comfortably in mid-table, but progress depends heavily on finding a striker who can consistently score.

Scoring struggles

So far this season, only 13 Premier League goals have come from six West Ham players, with Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta leading the way on three apiece. Centre-forward Niclas Fullkrug has struggled, netting just three goals in 24 league appearances across two seasons. After recurring injuries, it seems the club would allow him to leave in January without resistance.

Callum Wilson, signed by Graham Potter to lead the line, has scored only twice this season, leaving West Ham in urgent need of attacking reinforcements. It’s no surprise, then, that the club is exploring options ahead of the January transfer window.

Zirkzee in the spotlight

One player frequently linked with a move to the London Stadium is Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee. At 24, the Dutch striker should be entering his prime, but competition from Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha has limited him to just a few minutes across four appearances in 2025/26.

Looking at his overall record, Zirkzee has scored just three league goals and provided one assist in 32 appearances last season. Across domestic cups and Europa League matches over two seasons, he has added only four more goals and two assists. Seven goals and two assists in 54 appearances fall far short of the standard expected from an elite striker.

Even when given opportunities, Zirkzee has often looked laboured and, from West Ham’s perspective, functions more as a target man than a forward capable of linking play or creating chances for teammates. His lack of pace also makes balls over the top largely ineffective, mirroring the issues West Ham already face with Wilson.

While his work ethic is rarely questioned, effort alone cannot make up for a lack of consistent goal-scoring.

A difficult run ahead

West Ham face a challenging December: Bournemouth, Liverpool, Manchester City, Brighton (twice), Fulham, and Aston Villa all await before the January window. To avoid another season flirting with relegation, the club needs to navigate this period successfully and make smart reinforcements in January.

If Zirkzee remains a priority, West Ham will be hoping that regular game time and the boost of a World Cup year could spark a turnaround similar to Jesse Lingard’s revival when he moved to London. However, based on his record to date, he may not be the striker capable of lifting the Hammers out of their current predicament.