While West Ham United cannot write their FA Cup campaign off entirely, there is surely little doubt that they will need to rotate their squad in the quarter-final against Leeds on Sunday.
It would be foolish to suggest that West Ham United effectively tank themselves in the FA Cup when Wembley is only one home win away, but it’s clear that Premier League survival should be the priority at this point of the campaign.
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General view before the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC
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With that in mind, here’s a look at the ideal XI for Nuno against Leeds in the FA Cup on Sunday.
West Ham should rotate for Leeds match
Coming off the international break, a lot of the West Ham United squad will have been jetting back into east London from all around the world.
As such, Nuno might be wise to lean on the players who did in fact remain at Rush Green for West Ham United versus Leeds.
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A graphic showing West Ham United's ideal XI against Leeds in the FA Cup.
Credit; GRV Media
Indeed, that would mean Alphonse Areola – who has played the last few FA Cup games anyway – takes his place in goal.
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The back four would be made up of Kyle Walker-Peters, Jean-Clair Todibo, Axel Disasi and Ezra Mayers, who is surely a better choice than Ollie Scarles at this point.
Moving into midfield is where things get particularly interesting. Jarrod Bowen’s fine record in this competition and the fact he didn’t play all that much for England over the break should see him start.
Mohamadou Kante playing for West Ham United against Brentford in the FA Cup.
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Considering Crysencio Summerville is still a doubt for West Ham United versus Leeds, Adama Traore looks the most suitable replacement on the left.
Mohamadou Kante impressed in the last round against Brentford, while fellow central midfielder Soungoutou Magassa looks slightly ahead of Freddie Potts in the pecking order.
Up front, Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe should start ahead of Callum Wilson. While Wilson remains a better goalscorer, he cannot offer what they can off the ball these days.
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