West Ham United splashed the cash on Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa in the final days of the summer transfer window, as well as making the deadline day addition of Igor Julio, leading to there being big question marks about who should be in the preferred starting line-up at the London Stadium.
Hammers head coach Graham Potter was forced to bring in last-minute reinforcements after three consecutive defeats at the hands of Sunderland, Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers left supporters fearing the worst before a 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest just before the international break.
The former Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion tactician now needs to decide what his strongest side is as West Ham prepare to face arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on September 13 and aim to climb the Premier League table. GIVEMESPORT has made an attempt to piece together the east Londoners' best XI.
Hermansen Still Needs to Convince After Deal
Mads Hermansen applauding the West Ham United supporters
The goalkeeping situation has become a problem for West Ham, with Mads Hermansen failing to convince since his summer arrival. Having made high-profile errors against Sunderland and Chelsea - he conceded eight goals across the two encounters - there have been doubts over whether he should have leapfrogged £120,000-a-week Alphonse Areola in the pecking order.
But the Denmark international deserves to be given more time to adjust to his new surroundings and is likely to end up proving to be a shrewd investment, particularly as the Hammers managed to secure him for only £20million as they profited from Leicester City's relegation to the Championship.
El Hadji Malick Diouf was another summer acquisition, from Slavia Prague, and he has been one of the shining lights in the early stages of West Ham's season. The 20-year-old has already made the left-back slot his own, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka should be given the nod on the opposite side of the backline.
Max Kilman has struggled to live up to his £40million transfer fee, having made the move from Wolves in July 2024, but a lack of other options means he ought to be at the heart of the defence alongside Jean-Clair Todibo. Konstantinos Mavropanos is an alternative, while Igor is expected to have to settle for a place on the bench despite his last-gasp move.
No Midfield Place for Soucek or Ward-Prowse
Tomas Soucek in action for West Ham United
Fernandes' debut performance against Nottingham Forest highlighted that he has walked straight into West Ham's preferred starting line-up, while Magassa is expected to partner him after the east Londoners were crying out for additional pace and mobility in the middle of the park during the heavy losses to Sunderland and Chelsea.
Keeping Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta was also one of the best pieces of business the Hammers did during the summer transfer window, with him scoring in each of his last three appearances and showing signs that he is getting back to his best after being cleared of spot-fixing charges.
Potter should deploy the former Lyon talisman in an advanced role, considering he is West Ham's most creative influence, and that means there is no room for Tomas Soucek or James Ward-Prowse in the side. The duo, who are on contracts worth a combined total of £205,000-per-week, would still provide bags of experience when they come into the fray.
Bowen and Summerville Boast a Cutting Edge
Jarrod Bowen in action for West Ham United
Although Jarrod Bowen has been tested in a central role by Potter, along with predecessors David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui, there is no getting away from the fact that he is most dangerous when cutting in from the right-hand side. The England international needs to be allowed to thrive in his preferred role.
Back from injury, Crysencio Summerville's explosive pace and desire to cause problems for defenders was there for all to see when he came off the bench against Nottingham Forest last weekend. He should be among the first names on the team sheet when fully fit as he is a constant threat on the left flank.
Deciding who should be the starting striker has been an age-old conundrum for West Ham. They have tried so many options over the years, with very few paying off. Callum Wilson is Premier League proven and closing in on 100 goals in the competition, but Niclas Fullkrug enjoyed a promising pre-season and it is his shirt to lose at this stage.
West Ham's Strongest XI: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Diouf; Magassa, Fernandes; Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville; Fullkrug.
Substitutes: Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Igor, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Potts, Guilherme, Wilson.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 03/09/2025
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