West Ham manager Graham Potter.placeholder image
West Ham manager Graham Potter. | Getty Images
Graham Potter takes his West Ham side to newly promoted Sunderland on Saturday.
West Ham kickstart their Premier League campaign with a long trip to the North East to take on Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, with Graham Potter needing a marked improvement on what his side managed last term.
The Hammers haven’t spent a lot of cash in the transfer window and the feeling is that more is needed. The Black Cats, who have been busy with new signings, will prove a tricky first opponent.
Here’s how West Ham could line up at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.
West Ham predicted XI to face Sunderland
Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, Nayef Aguerd, Max Kilman, El Hadji Malick Diouf
Alphonse Areola has a tricky task this season to keep the number one spot to himself after West Ham forked out £18 million for Mads Hermansen from Leicester City. That transfer was only confirmed a week ago, so the Frenchman will surely start between the sticks on Saturday.
El Hadji Malick Diouf was snapped up from Slavia Prague for £19 million and is set to play a prominent part from the off. Aaron Wan-Bissaka made the opposite flank his own last season but could replace Aguerd temporarily at centre-back with Kyle Walker-Peters providing the width.
Midfielders: James Ward-Prowse, Freddie Potts, Lucas Paqueta
There are expected to be additions in midfield before the end of the window. It’s an area where the Hammers look particularly light. Lucas Paqueta could still leave the club but is available to play as it stands. Providing an update on his future on Friday, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote: “Lucas Paquetá, considering to explore options to leave West Ham this summer. After difficult 18 months on personal level and now free from all accusations, Paquetá considers fresh challenge as a possibility. No final decision made yet but reviewing options for his future.”
Graham Potter on ‘fantastic’ Callum Wilson
Strikers: Niclas Fullkrug, Jarrod Bowen
A fully fit Niclas Fullkrug is something West Ham fans didn’t have too much of a chance to see following his £27 million move last summer. There’s hope he can be a new beast this season. Jarrod Bowen is Mr Reliable alongside him.
Callum Wilson could start but it seems that Potter will be cautious with the injury-prone star. In his pre-match conference, he said: "He brings experience, a know-how and a quality which isn't easy to find. He's a proven Premier League striker with fantastic mentality. We have to help him enjoy his football and be on the pitch. That's what we are confident about."
In other news, 'Here We Go': West Ham and Crystal Palace to lose £25m transfer race to Premier League rival.
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