West Ham United best XI of season so far – Danny Ings in, Jean-Clair Todibo out
West Ham United have endured a rather disappointing start to the 2024-25 campaign, although some players have performed better than others.
The Hammers have been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages – albeit for the wrong reasons- as they sit only five points above the relegation zone after a summer of frivolous spending.
Julen Lopetegui has spent the entirety of his tenure in East London under intense scrutiny and, while he retains the support of the board [Simon Stone], his future will be utterly dependent on the results following the international break.
The Spaniard must put his bias aside and name his strongest lineup in the fixtures ahead to save his job, and unfortunately, that means favourites Jean-Clair Todibo and Michail Antonio do not make the cut.
With that in mind, West Ham Zone looks at the Irons’ strongest starting line-up right now on the basis of the first 11 matches.
Konstantinos Mavropanos and Danny Ings get in for West Ham United
Alphonse Areola has lost his place in the starting lineup to Lukasz Fabianski as of late, and while the Frenchman has been culpable to a multitude of errors this year, he is still the best goalkeeper at West Ham and will surely use his international snub to take his game to the next level.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson have been the undisputed full-back options for Lopetegui this season and for good reason. The pair have little competition to contend with in East London and will undoubtedly retain their place in the best-performing starting lineup.
Todibo on the other hand, despite his recent inclusion as a regular starter, has massively underperformed for the Hammers. The Frenchman has all the tools to become one of the best in the Premier League but has thus far failed to live up to the hype.
Therefore, Konstantinos Mavropanos would replace Todibo in the strongest line-up. The Greek international has been a consistent performer in East London and has maintained his displays this year despite the side’s struggles.
Max Kilman is arguably one Hammers player who would be devastated to see Lopetegui dismissed at the London Stadium. The 27-year-old has featured in every match under the Spaniard and would partner Mavropanos in the strongest line up.
A West Ham strongest XI would be nothing without Tomas Soucek – the Czech international was an integral cog in David Moyes’ side and has continued to prove his worth under the manager this year.
Guido Rodriguez has endured a “tough” start to life in East London and while the jury is still out on his acquisition, the 30-year-old has featured regularly and has too much quality not to be a success in the Premier League.
Jarrod Bowen’s inclusion speaks for itself. The Hammers captain has, at times, looked like the only forward capable of putting the ball in the back of the net for his side.
Based on recent performances, Lucas Paqueta should not be included in the strongest lineup – the Brazilian has looked a shadow of his former self this year. However, the quality is still there and no other Hammers player can match Paqueta on his day and he makes the line-up with the skin of his teeth.
Mohammed Kudus is another West Ham star who has let his side down this season, but he should channel his frustrations on the pitch upon his return from an FA suspension and he is still one of the best forwards in the division.
Antonio has led the line for the Irons while summer signing Niclas Fullkrug continues his lengthy rehabilitation. Even so, the 34-year-old has only found the back of the net once in the Premier League.
Danny Ings has matched his goal returns this year in six fewer outings and has made more of an impact off the bench than his Jamaican teammate has when starting. Ings may very well push for a move away from East London in the upcoming transfer window but he is, as it stands, the best available option to lead the West Ham frontline.
In other West Ham news, a development has emerged in the Iron’s pursuit of Igor Jesus.
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