Julen Lopetegui baffles with what he did in West Ham United clash v Crystal Palace
Tom Rennie has been left baffled by Julen Lopetegui’s decision to name an unchanged West Ham United side against Crystal Palace.
The Hammers picked up their first win under the former Real Madrid manager with a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park on Saturday (24 August) thanks to second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen.
Despite having the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Jean-Clair Todibo and Niclas Fullkrug at his disposal, the Irons boss named the same side that lost to Aston Villa, much to the confusion of talkSPORT broadcaster Rennie.
Writing on X on Saturday (24 August) he said: “It’s not the fairest comment, but if David Moyes had picked the same eleven as last weekend, and not played the new defenders and the new striker, it would be banner time.
“That’s an odd one from Lopetegui.”
Are West Ham United close to any new signings ahead of the transfer deadline?
It does seem strange that despite being backed heavily in the summer transfer window, Lopetegui has named what is almost a Moyes’ side for his first two Premier League matches as the West Ham manager.
Of course, new players do take time to bed into the fold and Lopetegui may just not feel that his signings are ready to play a full 90 minutes but this sort of decision puts him under immediate pressure.
Hopefully, it won’t be too long until the likes of Summerville, Fullkrug and Todibo are handed their full debuts in a claret and blue shirt.
Perhaps the Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth on Wednesday (28 August) may be Lopetegui’s time to hand them their opportunity. That fixture will have much less riding on it than a Premier League game and could be the perfect opening.
Ultimately, the most important thing for Hammers fans is that their side continues to win games. While they’re picking up three points they won’t care who is starting for them.
In other West Ham news, Carlos Soler’s PSG exit is now close after a new update emerged ahead of the summer transfer deadline
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