13 departures does look like a lot when you write it down on paper, but West Ham’s ambitions to improve the squad mean significant changes were always likely once again this summer.

There may be even more senior players leaving before the window closes in August, but out of the ones confirmed to be departing, should any have stayed?

Samir Nasri

The Frenchman probably had the strongest case for staying, despite his injury issues since his arrival at the club. A calf strain limited him to just six appearances for the Hammers but he looked sharp when he was fit and able to play.

Considering he had not played for over 12 months, a niggling injury on his return wasn’t surprising. A calf issue is not as serious as a knee or ankle problem which may lead to more injuries down the line. However, the club also had to seriously consider whether he was worth the wages he was demanding.

With the club having a number of wide midfielders in the squad such as Felipe Anderson, Robert Snodgrass, Andriy Yarmolenko, Grady Diangana, Michail Antonio, and even Manual Lanzini, giving the Frenchman a one-year extension when he wasn’t guaranteed a start didn’t seem sensible.

Letting a talented player go may disappoint some fans but the money may be better spent on new signings.

Andy Carroll

The striker has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch during his seven seasons at the club. Ankle injuries blighted his time with the Hammers and his reported £90,000 a week wage has proven very costly for the club.

At 30 years of age, he could still be a useful impact substitute if offered a sizeable wage cut, but there’s no guarantee that he would stay fit. He has reportedly cost the club £27.9million in wages for his 34 goals, that is £800,000 per goal.  It was time to cut him loose.

Adrian

The Spaniard certainly had his moments in the claret and blue, but it’s clear that he was never going to recover his number one status. Lukasz Fabianski was deservedly player of the year last season after moving from Swansea.

The Polish keeper is, though, 34 years of age, and bringing in a younger understudy than Adrian (now 32) was likely the thinking behind allowing the former Real Betis player to leave this summer.

Toni Martinez

A lot of fans tipped this Spaniard for great things after excelling at youth level but the 21-year-old simply hasn’t kicked on. The striker scored just three goals in 28 appearances for Lugo in the Spanish second division last season.

Like Martinez, many of the others on the 13-man list like Moses Makasi, Noha Sylvestre and Josh Pask are all in a similar boat. West Ham need to make space for younger players who are in with a better chance of making the breakthrough.