West Ham United get glimpse into future as Kurt Zouma nowhere to be seen v Brentford
West Ham fans have been given a glimpse into their future potentially with Kurt Zouma nowhere to be seen in the squad for the clash with Brentford today.
The Hammers named a starting lineup without their skipper for the first time in the Premier League this season, with summer signing Dinos Mavropanos coming into the side to partner Nayef Aguerd in central defence.
And with speculation ramping up about the player’s future amid reported interest from Saudi Arabia in January, this could be an early look at the club’s future.
Alphonse Areola continues in goal while Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri continue at full-back in a familiar looking West Ham side.
But midfield looks different with Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqeuta both suspended in what could be another glimpse into the future for the fans after his release clause was made public for the upcoming summer window.
James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek start in central midfield, and with Paqueta potentially in his final season at the club there could be an idea as to what the club are planning for when he isn’t around anymore.
Said Benrahma starts on the left with Mohammed Kudus playing behind Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen in his favoured right-wing role.
Mavropanos was signed in the summer to compete for a position and with Aguerd likely to be absent for much of January due to AFCON too, this is a chance to really see what he’s made of while Kudus was signed as the man to boost us creatively if Paqueta was to leave.
This is a chance to see how we will look with their absences long-term and how the future of the club looks, or if we may need to consider bringing in replacements in the future.
Moyes has gone with the team many expected to see, and now it’s on them to perform and get the result many expect too.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano drops update on Hammers striker search in 2024.