West Ham drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo in their final warm-up game for the new season and some impressed more than others.
If there was any doubt that West Ham needed the raft of signings they have been making then the draw with Celta Vigo provides all the proof needed.
Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui was honest enough to admit he was far from happy with the performances in 3-1 defeats to Wolves and Palace.
Since then West Ham have made a host of quality signings.
Crysencio Summerville, striker Niclas Fullkrug and Guido Rodriguez were signed 48 hours apart last weekend.
Now top class centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo has been added to the mix in a loan with obligation to buy.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be the next to arrive if reports are accurate today.
He and Todibo will walk straight into this West Ham team on this evidence.
The Hammers impressed as an attacking force against La Liga side Celta Vigo.
But defensively, it is clear to see why Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten have completely ripped the team apart.
Paqueta sublime as Summerville shines but oh my that backline
Hammers News brings you the West Ham player ratings vs Celta Vigo.
Lucas Paqueta was sublime as Summerville shines but oh my that backline.
Making his first start under Lopetegui, Paqueta put his recent troubles behind him to show just why Man City were willing to pay £85m for him last summer and this.
Mohammed Kudus looked a class apart too as did Jarrod Bowen, scorer of West Ham’s opening goal.
Paqueta orchestrated a beautiful West Ham second but Celta pegged the Irons back again.
West Ham’s £40m signing Max Kilman did much better this time out. But the defending on show from the Hammers was comical at times.
Vladimir Coufal and Konstantinos Mavropanos struggled for spells.
In attack there was plenty to give West Ham fans hope.
Michail Antonio did ok but showed his limitations while the same was true of Fullkrug – who will need time to adapt and plenty of service if he is to be a success.
West Ham player ratings vs Celta Vigo:
Alphonse Areola – 7/10 (Fabianski – 6/10): Areola’s sheer presence made a big difference as he comfortably dealt with a few situations which would have troubled Lukasz Fabianski or Wes Foderingham. Distribution was decent, subbed at half-time for Fabianski. The former Poland star was steady but slow to get out for Celta’s second goal as old father time starts to catch up with one or two.
Vladimir Coufal – 5/10: It feels hard to criticise Coufal given he has been such a warrior for West Ham. But the Czech turns 32 in less than two weeks and he has looked his age in pre-season. It is clear to see why Lopetegui is so keen to sign a new right-back. Wan-Bissaka will help transform this side in Coufal’s place. He was slow, ponderous and lacking the kind of bite which made him such a hit in his first two seasons with the Hammers. Coufal played the entire 90 minutes which tells you about the lack of depth until Wan-Bissaka signs.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 5/10 (Nayef Aguerd – 5/10): Is it any wonder Lopetegui has signed Kilman and Todibo? Neither Mavropanos or Aguerd were in any way convincing. Mavropanos has all the making of a West Ham cult hero. But like Aguerd he is far too erratic. The Greek is superior to the Moroccan but at this rate he will be lucky to be third choice centre-back at West Ham next season.
Max Kilman – 7/10: Much better from £40m man Kilman on his first game at the London Stadium. He looked more assured and in control. But with every game it is clear to see Wolves fans were right. Kilman does indeed need a dominant central defensive partner to truly shine. Todibo is that man so hopes will be high.
Emerson Palmieri – 6/10 (Cresswell – 6/10): Links to a number of left-backs this week suggest Lopetegui has not been overly impressed by Emerson. He did ok but does not look anywhere close to his swashbuckling best just yet. And West Ham need him to be.
Guido Rodriguez – 6/10 (James Ward-Prowse – 6/10): A strange game for the Argentine Rodriguez to come into and he showed some neat touches. The biggest sign of his influence was the fact West Ham recorded nearly 70 per cent possession – against a Spanish team no less. When was the last time the Hammers recorded anything close to that kind of ball dominance. Ward-Prowse is struggling to get a look in next season now. He has switched to the number eight shirt number. But that’s fooling nobody. Put in some nice corners but in open play – as usual – offered little.
Tomas Soucek – 6/10: Played the entire 90 but did not do anything of note except miss a late chance. Soucek is another who West Ham fans will find hard to watch transition into a back-up player. But that’s the way it must be if the Hammers are to progress. Still did his selfless work for the team as always but limited in possession. Should have scored late on.
Todibo and Wan-Bissaka walk into this West Ham team
Lucas Paqueta – 9/10 (George Earthy – 7/10): Paqueta back like he’s never been away. Absolutely dripping with quality from start to finish. Made the first for Bowen with a sublime pass over the defence and scored the second himself after a one-two on the edge of the box. Pure class. Earthy came on and showed his excellent touch and talent, tried to influence the game and West Ham’s star players like Kudus trust him with the ball in tight areas which speaks volumes. If there is one West Ham academy star who is kept in the first team squad this season it will be Earthy.
Jarrod Bowen – 8/10 (Crysencio Summerville: 7/10): Brilliant Bowen back with a bang. The England star returned to the side and scored within six minutes. He was unlucky not to have other goals and was a threat throughout. Bowen came off for Summerville who went out on the left. The Dutchman showed why West Ham signed him within minutes. Sharp as a razor, quick, skilful and nimble. This was an excellent cameo full of promise.
Mohammed Kudus – 7/10 (Luis Guilherme 6/10): Kudus once again stood out as one of the best players on the pitch. Decision making in key moments needs to be better but overall West Ham are lucky to have the star boy. Can be a touch greedy, which was an unwelcome feature of his play in the second half of last season. Cut that out and West Ham will fly once he starts combining with Paqueta, Bowen, Summervile and Fullkrug.
Michail Antonio – 6/5/10 (Niclas Fullkrug -5/10): Antonio did a decent job up top but fluffed his lines when two presentable chances came his way. He will still be a very valuable squad player this season but Fullkrug will surely be the starting striker. The German hardly touched the ball after coming on and that in itself tells Lopetegui everything. His game is all about service and unless West Ham focus on that then they won’t get the best out of Fullkrug. Ironically Fullkrug missed a penalty – only the third he has ever missed in 30 attempts.
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