Football Season Guide

Julen Lopetegui was sacked after West Ham won just six of their first 20 league games of the season. Graham Potter was brought in as a replacement, but there was not much improvement during his short tenure, with the Hammers finishing 14th following a rather mediocre campaign. Players who have served the team for several years have departed the club in Potter’s bid to rejuvenate an ageing squad. In came talented wingbacks El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters, with Callum Wilson expected to provide some experience in attack after joining on a free. Also signed Mads Hermansen - an upgrade in goal. The 50-year-old coach has had the opportunity to oversee his first pre-season with West Ham, trying to put his stamp on the team. He’s been shifting between back-three and back-four formation, as he has the tools to use both this term. Mohammed Kudus may have departed, but he never really met expectations at the Hammers, who are expected to add more depth to the squad. With Diouf and Walker-Peters joining Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the full-back positions, West Ham look solid on the flanks, this being their main strength ahead of the upcoming campaign. Yet, their defensive struggles last season led to as many as 17 losses and 62 goals conceded. West Ham need to find the defensive cohesion they lacked last season, when they were constantly shifting between the available centre-backs in search of the perfect backline duo or trident.