Nuno Espirito Santo has surprisingly dropped Freddie Potts, Callum Wilson and Soungoutou Magassa to the bench as he makes four changes for West Ham United’s trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.
The rapidly ‘improving’ Soungoutou Magassa was the hero of Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, opening his Premier League account and producing comfortably his finest performance in a West Ham United jersey.
In a surprise call, though, Magassa starts on the bench three days later at The Amex.
Perhaps in an attempt to keep his squad fresh ahead of the festive period, Nuno Espirito Santo has also replaced Freddie Potts and Callum Wilson, with Max Kilman and the seldom-seen Guido Rodriguez coming in.
Guido Rodriguez starts as Brighton host West Ham United
Nuno dropped Kilman for Konstantinos Mavropanos a week ago against Liverpool. The former Wolves captain returns, though, in what will necessitate a change of system.
The Hammers are set to play with three at the back, as Rodriguez steps in to partner Mateus Fernandes.
This is the Argentine’s first start since the loss at Sunderland on the opening weekend.
Teenage defender Ezra Mayers is on the bench again, but there is no place for Mohamadou Kante. The highly-rated Frenchman made his senior debut away to Manchester United some 72 hours or so ago.
Lucas Paqueta and Crysencio Summerville are back after spells out through injury and suspension respectively. Tomas Soucek drops to the bench.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
