There is a lot to like about Keiber Lamadrid; arguably West Ham United’s standout performer during the first three games of pre-season.
The Venezuelan has stepped up in the absence of Mateus Fernandes and Tomas Soucek.
While Southend and Stevenage were hardly elite opposition – a few rungs below a Burnley side against whom West Ham United will kick off the Championship campaign in three weeks’ time – Keiber Lamadrid suddenly appears to be a valid, genuinely exciting central midfield option at Nuno Espirito Santo’s disposal.
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Yet, while Lamadrid looks a broader, brawnier, bulked-up version of the baby-faced youngster who arrived back in January from Deportivo la Guaira, Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Rangers showed that his physical transformation isn’t quite complete just yet.
Keiber Lamadrid still needs to improve at West Ham United
Lamadrid created a couple of useful openings at Ibrox; the positivity of his passing and the speed of his footwork to the fore again.
On other occasions, however, the 22-year-old from Caracas was caught on the ball, occasionally out-muscled by an aggressive home side.
“Lamadrid too lightweight for the middle,” was the reaction of one fan on social media.
“He’s getting bullied off the ball,” another said.
“Midfield needs signings. [Mohamadou] Kante is a good player but is too casual. Lamadrid has been better of the two, but he needs to just be quicker on the ball.”
“Lamadrid looks a tidy player, will be useful for us this season once he gets used to the physicality of English football.”
Still plenty to work on, then. Though that should be expected of a youngster who has only made one first-team appearance in a competitive setting since arriving from his native Venezuela – and that came against third-tier Burton Albion in the FA Cup.
He played mostly as a winger for Deportivo la Guaira, winning the Venezuelan league’s Young Player of the Year award in 2025.
But, speaking to the club’s official website after West Ham thrashed Stevenage 5-0 in midweek, Lamadrid admitted that he feels more comfortable ‘inside’ the pitch; ‘My style of football is very dynamic. I always like to connect, to play fast, to have that verticality’.
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Lamadrid might lack the combative, prizefighter build of Mateus Fernandes. But the speed with which he moves the ball from a new-look central midfield role, the vision he shows and the willingness to receive the ball in tight areas – coupled with greater experience and a few more hours in the gym – could make the £1 million acquisition one of West Ham’s smartest modern-day deals.
“Lamadrid has been playing midfield and he’s been good, to be fair,” another fan writes. “I prefer him there to left-wing.”
“His passing is good, can see him being deep-lying playmaker type. Think he’s been one of the better midfielders so far. Kante struggling defensively a lot.”
“Lamadrid looks our most comfortable player today.”
“Everyone slated Lamadrid when he signed but, for £1 million, he could be a shrewd piece of business long-term.”
“Lamadrid should genuinely start at Burnley. Good player.”
“Well, that was an exciting Sunday early evening watch… James Ward-Prowse and Lamadrid have so far been the most impressive for West Ham out of the three games so far.”
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