A new signing in Keiber Lamadrid, uncertainty surrounding their goalkeeping department and a crucial clash between West Ham United and Sunderland looming; today was certainly not short of talking points.
And we at Hammers News are determined to ensure you – the fans – have your say.
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What better place to start than West Ham United versus Sunderland at the London Stadium? A game that will see Alphonse Areola go head-to-head, glove-to-glove, with the goalkeeper the Hammers will surely be wishing they had snapped up last summer.
West Ham United missed a trick with Sunderland’s Robin Roefs
What is the biggest DIFFERENCE between West Ham and Sunderland this season?
There is a big gulf in class between the two goalkeepers…
No Premier League goalkeeper can better Sunderland’s Robin Roefs when it comes to his 76 per cent save percentage. The £9 million signing from NEC Nijmegen also has the second-best goals prevented metric in the division.
And while Areola has failed to save any of the five penalties he has faced this season, Roefs stopped three in a row during the FA Cup triumph over Everton.
The subject of ‘goalkeepers’ has been a popular one this week at West Ham. Especially with rumours of a Tottenham swap deal – Antonin Kinsky for Mads Hermansen – doing the rounds.
West Ham could have saved themselves a whole lot of bother – and quite a few goals – had they committed themselves to Sunderland’s Dutch sensation though. Robin Roefs was reportedly a West Ham target last summer.
Now, arguably the stand-out shot-stopper in this season’s Premier League gets the chance to show the Hammers what they are missing…
West Ham hope to end nine-year wait for a Black Cats beating
It is nearly a decade since West Ham last beat Sunderland!
But can you fill in the gaps in Slaven Bilic's XI from this 2016 win?
Sunderland thrashed Graham Potter’s Hammers on the opening weekend in August.
This means that the latter has not tasted victory over the former since Winston Reid struck a late winner all the way back in October 2016. But can you work out the three mystery starters from Slaven Bilic’s XI during that narrow 1-0 win nearly a decade ago?
A clue; the striker up top never scored a single goal in English football. Then again, when it’s West Ham strikers you are talking about, that really doesn’t narrow it down much.
Who will start alongside Mateus Fernandes against Sunderland?
Presuming Mateus Fernandes starts – and there is nothing to suggest he won’t – Nuno likely has a pick of three midfield partners this weekend.
The height and physicality of Tomas Soucek could prove invaluable against Granit Xhaka and co. Or will Nuno opt for the youthful exuberance of Freddie Potts versus arguably the most complementary, well-balanced engine room outside of the European spots?
And don’t forget about Soungoutou Magassa…
Who do you want to see PARTNER Mateus Fernandes v Sunderland? 🇵🇹
Soucek, Potts or Magassa?
Venezuela starlet Keiber Lamadrid joins the Premier League
Keiber Lamadrid is now officially a West Ham player. But don’t expect a rip-roaring debut from the 22-year-old winger when Sunderland come to town. Lamadrid will play for the Hammers’ reserve side initially, as David Sullivan waits for his ‘lottery ticket’ to hit jackpot.
Nuno admitted at his press conference that Keiber is not in contention for a first-team role at the moment.
But how do you feel about this most unexpected and under-the-radar arrival?
Describe the Keiber Lamadrid signing in ONE word! 🇻🇪
The youngster joins from Deportivo la Guaira…
Could Paris FC’s Ilan Kebbal replace Lucas Paqueta?
It was reported this week that Ligue 1 sensation Ilan Kebbal has emerged as a potential replacement for the Flamengo-bound Lucas Paqueta.
Scorer of seven goals – some spectacular ones at that – the late-blooming Algeria international has been one of the breakout talents across all of European football in 2025/26. A Paqueta successor he may be, but there are shades of Jarrod Bowen in Ilan Kebbal.
Could West Ham be putting a Bowen-based succession plan in place, preparing for the worst-case scenario that is relegation? If so, who would you back to step into the skipper’s shoes?
If Jarrod Bowen leaves West Ham, who is your DREAM replacement? 🤔
Paris FC's Ilan Kebbal looks very impressive…
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