Exciting times in East London – How West Ham could line up this season under Julen Lopetegui

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Todibo Done Deal 

We are now right in the thick of the summer transfer window, with new big deals getting confirmed every day. Some clubs have been more active than others, and one team who have been experiencing a lot of change has been West Ham. Whilst there can be little doubt David Moyes did a superb job with the Hammers, helping them lift their first European trophy in 64 years, as they won the Europa Conference League in 2022, things did begin to get a little stale last season. Many fans were growing unhappy with the slightly negative style of play, and lack of spark and flair. However, this season looks set to be a campaign brimming with excitement for the Hammers faithful, with several new signings already through the door and strong reports more incomings are on the way.

The signing of centre-half Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice on an initial lone but with an obligation ot buy for €40m next summer was confirmed this ____ and means seven new senior arrivals have now walked through the door. The transfer of Niclas Füllkrug for €27 million + €5m in add-ons was confirmed on Monday and took the Hammers summer spending to €99.8m, and that might not be the end of their business. New manager Julen Lopetegui looks set to have a lot more options that his predecessor in both attacking and defensive positions. So how could West Ham line up this season? And how high could this team finish in the Premier League under the former Spain and Real Madrid boss Lopetegui?

As well as Todibo and Füllkrug, West Ham have confirmed the signings of winger Crysencio Summerville from Leeds for €29.3m, centre-half Max Kilman from Wolves for €47.5m, and Brazilian teenager Luis Guilherme from Brazilian side Palmeiras for €23m, as well as the free transfer of Argentine international midfielder Guido Rodríguez earlier this week. The club are also thought to have a very keen interest in bringing in Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and are working to agree a fee with the Red Devils who are reportedly open to selling the Englishmen, with Newcastle Kieran Trippier a potential alternative. So what kind of side will Lopetegui be able to field? Potentially a very exciting one.

West Ham would have the opportunity to line up with a very exciting, yet also very balanced front four of Mohammed Kudus just behind Füllkrug, with last season’s top scorer Jarrod Bowen on the right-wing and new signing Summerville off the left. Then to allow the talent of that front four to flourish, Lopetegui could opt to line up Rodríguez next to Mexican Edson Álvarez to add some steel, or even as shown above put Lucas Paquetá next to Rodriguez in a double pivot to add yet more flair. Other options in centre-midfield could be James Ward-Prowse or Tomas Soucek. Emerson is likely to start at left-back, with potentially Wan-Bissaka in at the right of the defence. New signing Kilman could start alongside fellow new arrival Todibo or even Konstantinos Mavrapanos or Nayef Aguerd at centre-half, with Alphonso Areola in between the sticks.