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Transfer analysis: have West Ham Women got their recruitment right? - by Staff Writer - Filed: Friday, 21st August 2026 West Ham United women’s team have undergone a significant rebuild this summer, with Rita Guarino and the Club’s recruitment team making a clear statement of intent ahead of the 2026/27 Barclays Women’s Super League campaign. Rather than relying on one or two headline additions, the Hammers have strengthened across the pitch, bringing in a combination of proven internationals, WSL experience and some of the most promising young players in England. With the summer window still open, West Ham have already completed nine permanent signings, while Manchester City youngster Divine Mukasa has also arrived on a season-long loan. The recruitment represents a significant change in direction from last season, when Guarino inherited a squad that ultimately finished tenth in the WSL. The Italian made it clear that improving the quality of the group would be essential, and the summer business suggests the Club has backed her vision. Experience at the back Perhaps the most obvious priority was strengthening the defence, and West Ham have addressed that area with considerable experience. Laia Codina is arguably the headline arrival. The Spain international joins following her departure from Arsenal and brings a remarkable CV to east London, having won the FIFA Women’s World Cup with Spain and the UEFA Women’s Champions League with both Barcelona and Arsenal. She has also made 58 appearances for Arsenal and arrives on a three-year contract. Her arrival could prove particularly important for a West Ham side looking to become more comfortable against the WSL’s stronger attacks. Codina is not simply a defender who can win tackles; she is comfortable progressing the ball and has the leadership qualities to organise those around her. She is joined by Nadine Riesen, another player with significant European and international experience. The Switzerland international spent the previous three seasons with Eintracht Frankfurt and has Champions League experience, while also featuring at Euro 2025. Her ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch gives Guarino another option at full-back. Then there is Niamh Peacock, who represents a different type of recruitment. The 18-year-old left Arsenal to sign her first professional contract with West Ham and has already gained senior experience with Watford and Portsmouth. She has also represented England from U15 through to U20 level. That combination is important. Codina and Riesen provide immediate experience, while Peacock offers the potential to develop into a long-term asset. Verdict: Excellent recruitment. West Ham have added quality without simply filling the defence with experienced players. There is a genuine blend of leadership and potential. A new goalkeeper Goalkeeper was another area where West Ham have made an intriguing addition. France international Constance Picaud joined from Fleury on a three-year deal after captaining the French club. She kept 19 clean sheets in 40 appearances for Fleury and has represented France at the 2023 World Cup, 2024 Olympics and 2025 European Championship. The competition for the No1 shirt should be particularly interesting, with Picaud arriving alongside established Poland international Kinga Szemik. For a team hoping to move up the table, competition in every position is important. West Ham should now have two goalkeepers capable of competing for regular WSL football rather than relying on one undisputed starter. Verdict: Smart recruitment. Picaud's experience at international level should raise the standard within the squad and provide genuine competition. Zelem brings leadership One of the most significant pieces of business may actually be a player West Ham already knew well. Katie Zelem initially joined on loan from London City Lionesses in January before making the move permanent this summer. She has signed a three-year contract and was reunited with Guarino, having previously worked with the Italian at Juventus. Zelem brings something that cannot necessarily be measured through statistics: leadership. The former Manchester United captain has won the FA Cup, has two WSL titles with Liverpool and has represented England at a major tournament. Her experience should be particularly valuable in a relatively young squad. More importantly, Guarino already knows exactly what she can offer. That familiarity could make Zelem one of the easiest summer signings to integrate into the team's tactical structure. Verdict: Very strong signing. Leadership, WSL experience and an existing relationship with the head coach make this a low-risk, high-value addition. Adding more firepower The forward line has also received significant attention. Kelly Gago represents one of the biggest statements of the window. The France international arrived from Everton on a three-year contract and became Guarino's ninth permanent signing of the summer. Gago gives West Ham another physical and direct attacking option, while her experience in the WSL means she should not need a lengthy adaptation period to the demands of English football. She is joined by Ebony Salmon, who arrived from Aston Villa on a two-year contract. The 25-year-old has already established herself as a dangerous forward in the WSL and adds pace and movement to Guarino's attacking options. The important point is that West Ham have not simply added numbers up front. They have added different profiles. Gago can provide physicality and a focal point, while Salmon offers pace and the ability to attack space. That gives Guarino greater flexibility depending on the opposition and match situation. Verdict: Promising. The challenge now is turning those individual qualities into consistent goals. Investing in the future The recruitment of Sienna Wareing and Niamh Peacock also demonstrates that West Ham are thinking beyond the immediate season. Wareing joined from Manchester United after winning the Red Devils' Academy U21 Player of the Year award and signed her first professional contract in east London. She has already earned England U19 recognition. Peacock similarly arrives with an impressive youth pedigree and has already experienced senior football despite being just 18. These are not necessarily signings expected to carry West Ham through a 22-game WSL campaign immediately. Instead, they give Guarino younger players who can be developed within her system while competing for first-team opportunities. That is particularly important for a club attempting to establish itself higher up the WSL table without trying to replicate the spending power of the league's biggest clubs. Cascarino: perhaps the easiest decision Estelle Cascarino is technically another new arrival, but she already knows the environment. The France international initially joined West Ham on loan from Juventus in January and made 12 appearances during the second half of last season. Her performances were enough for the Club to make the move permanent, with Cascarino signing a three-year contract in July. That could make her one of the most important players in the squad. Unlike many of the summer arrivals, Cascarino does not need to learn Guarino's methods, understand her teammates or adapt to the WSL. She has already done all three. Her existing partnership with the rest of the defensive group should also help West Ham avoid one of the biggest problems associated with major squad rebuilds: taking too long to gel. The overall picture Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of West Ham's recruitment is that there is a clear strategy behind it. The Club have not simply chased big names. They have added: Leadership: Zelem, Codina and Hansen International experience: Picaud, Riesen, Codina, Gago and Cascarino WSL experience: Zelem, Salmon, Gago and Peacock Youth and potential: Wareing and Peacock Defensive quality: Codina, Riesen and Cascarino Attacking options: Gago and Salmon Competition for places: particularly in goal and defence The biggest question is whether all of that individual quality can translate into a significant improvement in league position. Last season, West Ham finished tenth, but Guarino's arrival in December brought a renewed sense of organisation and resilience. The Italian has now been given a squad much closer to what she wants, meaning there can be fewer excuses if performances do not improve. The immediate target should not necessarily be breaking into the Champions League places. The gap to Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City remains substantial, while clubs around West Ham are also investing heavily. A more realistic measure of success would be establishing West Ham as a consistent top-half side, reducing the gap to the established contenders and building towards something bigger in the seasons that follow. Transfer window rating: 8.5/10 On paper, this is one of West Ham Women's most ambitious recruitment windows in recent years. The standout feature is the balance. Codina brings winning experience, Zelem brings leadership, Picaud strengthens the goalkeeping department, Riesen adds quality at full-back, while Gago and Salmon provide greater attacking depth. Then there are the younger additions in Wareing and Peacock, who could become important players for the Club in the years ahead. The biggest concern is whether such a large group of new players can gel quickly enough. Guarino has effectively been handed a new-look squad, and integrating so many players into one coherent system will be the real test. But if the new arrivals settle quickly, West Ham should have enough quality to move beyond last season's tenth-place finish. * Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment. * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the highlighted author/s and do not necessarily represent or reflect the official policy or position of KUMB.com.