An exciting new area awaits us at West Ham under Julen Lopetegui, and his potential first starting XI really does look like the real deal.
Julen Lopetegui will replace David Moyes as the new West Ham manager, when the Scot’s contract officially expires on July 1st.
The 57-year-old Spaniard has all the tools needed to turn us into regular contenders for the top six in the Premier League table, in spite of what people like Paul Merson may have you believe.
Lopetegui likes his defenders to build out from the back, and places far more emphasis on possession than Moyes ever did.
However, the thing I like about the former Wolves boss the most is his single-mindedness when it comes to bringing players in.
He left Wolves because of broken promises by the owners, and has a history of butting heads with club owners due to his transfer demands.
That means that he will not stand for any potential funny business from David Sullivan. Lopetegui is an incredibly ambitious man, and he will know full well just how much work is needed on this Hammers squad.
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So who will the Spaniard sign? Judging by the players we’re being linked with, we could have a seriously exciting starting XI next season…
West Ham starting XI could look like this under Julen Lopetegui
Lopetegui should have five priority signings in mind this summer – a right-back, a centre-back, a defensive midfielder, a left winger and a centre-forward.
So which players could be London Stadium bound, and how will our brand new starting XI look on paper?
The Hammers have been strongly linked with a move to sign Lille right-back Tiago Santos, 21.
Santos was signed for around £5 million back in 2023, so you would assumer that Lille will demand at least three times that amount to part ways with him this summer.
£15 million for a player with his ability would be an absolute steal, make no mistake about that. He has pace in abundance, is an exceptional tackler and is ideally suited to the intense nature of Premier League football.
Meanwhile, Max Kilman is apparently the priority transfer target for Lopetegui. He will reportedly cost around £40 million (The Mirror).
In 36 Premier League appearances for Wolves this season, the 26-year-old has averaged 1.3 tackles, one interception, 4.8 clearances and 2.6 successful aerial duels.
He has made 60.3 passes per game and has recorded a completion rate of 86% (Who Scored).
Max Kilman would be a terrific addition for West Ham in the summer transfer window, there are no two ways about that.
Next up is Youssouf Fofana, who will be up for grabs for around £26 million in the summer transfer window (The Metro).
The 25-year-old is an absolute powerhouse and has dynamism, athleticism and energy in abundance – three traits that we’re desperately short of right now. Signing the Frenchman is a must in my opinion.
In the left wing role, Sporting CP star Pedro Goncalves is firmly on the Hammers radar, and the 25-year-old will allegedly cost around £60 million this summer.
Whilst that sounds like a lot of money, his output is ridiculously good, with 18 goals and 16 assists to his name in 47 games this season (Transfermarkt). The right-footed left winger could wreak havoc for us next term, alongside the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen.
Then we come to someone who absolutely should be our first-choice centre-forward target – Dominic Solanke. The Hammers are said to be prioritising a move to sign the lethal hitman.
He has 19 goals in 37 Premier League games to his name this season, and has bagged 54 league goals since the start of the 2021/22 campaign – a really fine return (Transfermarkt).
Bournemouth want around £50 million for the 26-year-old striker (Daily Mail).
How 2024/25 West Ham starting XI could look under Lopetegui
I’m genuinely so excited to see what the future has in store for us.
With some top-class players being added to the current squad, the sky really could be the limit for us next season.
So…here’s how Lopetegui’s lineup could look:
That would be a very special starting lineup, and the thing is, we should have plenty of strength on the bench as well.
George Earthy will surely be involved with the first-team squad next season, as will returning loanees Flynn Downes and Freddie Potts.
I also expect the likes of Divin Mubama and Giedon Kodua to be given proper chances to shine. How about Maxwel Cornet? The Ivorian barely got a sniff under Moyes, and he will start with a clean slate under the new manager.
The five new signings in the lineup above will probably set us back around £190 million. Now, in order to comply with the new PSR regulations, we’ll have to make a big sale.
I think the man to be moved on will be Lucas Paqueta. Manchester City are being heavily linked with an £85 million move to sign the Brazilian (The Telegraph).
If we sell him for that kind of fee, and move on some of the deadwood like Danny Ings and Aaron Cresswell, and the likes of Vladimir Coufal, Michail Antonio, Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma, we shouldn’t have to actually spend that much this summer.
The first starting XI that Lopetegui names at West Ham could be a seriously exciting one if the summer transfer window goes to plan.
READ ALSO:
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