Todays [Claret and Hugh](https://www.claretandhugh.info/?p=135984&preview=true) article shines a light on Graham Potter’s thinking and the likely team strategy for the 2025-6 season.
In particular, the defensive formation which Potter wants to press ahead with – the three central defenders – is seen as a cornerstone of West Ham’s method of operating as Potter plans for next term, hence the Hammers’ reported desire to re-unite Nayef Aguerd with his Claret and Blue colleagues after a sensational year on loan at Real Sociedad.
Much like the loaning out of midfielder James Ward-Prowse, this will be a case of Graham Potter putting right the Lopetegui deadline-day error in dispatching the defender in the first place.
It also highlights the pride of place which young Ollie Scarles will be able to take as a left sided wing back in the Hammers’ brave new world.
Potter’s signal that he wants to play the ‘three at the back plus wing backs’ is perfect for Scarles who has excelled in front of a back three, and can continue his development ahead of veteran Cresswell or Aguerd as the left-sided centre back.
It also signals trouble ahead for Konstantinos Mavropanos who will find himself without a role if West Ham decide too, to hang on to Jean-Clair Todibo who has excelled in recent weeks on the right side of central Max Kilman.
The error- strewn Greek may well find his days are numbered if West Ham upgrade with Taylor Harwood-Bellis as is widely reported as being on the Hammers’ radar. That is a pretty formidable back line, picking three from Todibo, Kilman, Harwood-Bellis, and Aguerd would give Potter a far more efficient defensive unit than West Ham have seen for several years.
And it will be music to the ears of Ollie Scarles who, along with right wing-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, _(what is it with all these hyphenated names at West Ham!)_ is ideally suited to the same system.