David Moyes’ West Ham have been one of the most consistent Premier League sides over the past two campaigns and Hammers fans are expectant once again as the new season approaches.
The club famed for its attractive football has been playing just that under Moyes, but with the tactical nous of the canny Scot also making them devilishly hard to beat. The improvement over the past two seasons has yielded a sixth and a seventh-placed finish and a long run in Europe last term.
With Leicester City and Manchester United in states of flux, to different degrees, the Hammers will be targeting a top seven finish again and Moyes is building a squad with depth; and these 11 are all in line for a start.
Goalkeeper: Lukasz Fabianski
Polish keeper Fabianski is entering his fifth campaign with the Hammers and, following another excellent season, he will be Moyes’ pick for the last line of defence. He’s vastly experienced and a calming influence behind a back four which has plenty of stability in its ranks.
Right back: Vladimir Coufal
29 year old Vladimir Coufal is an uncompromising defender and a willing support to West Ham’s more creative players. Signed from Slavia Prague two years ago the Czech international has quickly become a feature on the back line.
Centre back: Kurt Zouma
Despite some off field problems France international Zouma made a good start to his West Ham career after a £30m switch from Chelsea last season. He’s been described as the complete defender with his pace, power, tackling and passing ability earning him 11 caps for Les Bleus.
Centre back: Nayef Aguerd
Stade Rennais defender Nayef Aguerd has made the move to West Ham and the Moroccan star is set to be the new face in the back four. The 26-year-old has joined on a five year contract at a cost of £30m and he will be one of two centre backs chosen alongside Zouma, with Craig Dawson also pushing for a place.
Left back: Aaron Cresswell
A Hammer since 2014, Cresswell has racked up 255 league appearances at the club and has made the left side of defence his own. A fast mover with defensive nous and the ability to raid down the flank and put in a dangerous cross, Cresswell has earned three England caps and should get the nod over Ben Johnson.
Right midfield: Tomas Soucek
The tireless Czech midfielder has been a revelation for West Ham since signing from Slavia Prague in 2020. Soucek is one of the first names on the team sheet and Moyes will be keen to keep hold of his box-to-box midfielder who has scored 15, often crucial, goals in 73 appearances.
Centre midfield: Declan Rice
The Premier League 2022 betting odds on the Hammers earning another top seven place depend largely on the future of Declan Rice. Chelsea are keen to sign the England star but the Hammers are holding out with their £150m valuation of the 23-year-old vice captain. He is a class act and potentially a future England captain.
Left midfield: Pablo Fornals
Fornals joined West Ham for a fee of £24m in 2019, having made his name at Villarreal as an attacking wide player. He struggled to impress in his first campaign in East London but was exceptional last season and is capable of a moment of magic which can turn a match.
Right Attack: Jarrod Bowen
Last season was a major breakthrough for attacking midfielder Jarrod Bowen and here at SBOTOP we picked him out as one of the stars of the campaign. He scored 12 goals and made ten assists in the Premier League last season and his ability to run behind the defence and cool head in front of goal make him a lethal striker.
Centre forward: Michail Antonio
Jamaican forward Antonio will lead the line for the Hammers in his eighth campaign with the club. He is a powerful figure, able to shrug off the attention of defenders and has a quick turn for a big man. A fans’ favourite Antonio provides the muscle for a team full of guile.
Left Attack: Arnaut Danjuma
The latest Premier League 2022 news concerns a potential Hammers move for Villarreal wide man Arnaut Danjuma. The 25 year old has a £43m release clause though Moyes will hope to pay less than that for a player who scored 11 times in La Liga and six in the Champions League for the Yellow Submarine.
The deal is not yet done and this place could be taken by Jesse Lingard, should Moyes want a return for the free agent.
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