Credit: Imago

James Barker

Thu 16 April 2026 6:30, UK

Aaron Wan-Bissaka needs a strong finish to the 2025-26 season, as do two other West Ham United players.

Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side are still fighting for their lives in the Premier League relegation battle, but their win over Wolves last time out has significantly strengthened their hand.

The Hammers have struggled to build up any kind of consistent form this season, but that comprehensive victory against Rob Edwards’ side could be the catalyst for change in that regard, and what a time it would be to do so.

Regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, there’s bound to be significant changes taking place in the playing squad during the summer transfer window.

As such, with just six games to play, there are a handful of West Ham players that have perhaps more riding on how they finish the campaign than others.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka needs to win back West Ham starting role

Wan-Bissaka has lost his West Ham starting job to Kyle Walker-Peters over the last couple of games, with the latter playing the full 90 and 120 minutes against Wolves and Leeds respectively.

The 28-year-old Wan-Bissaka has started 21 of his 22 Premier League appearances this season, but some poor displays over recent weeks has seen his grip on a place in Nuno’s XI loosen.

Incredibly, he penned a seven-year contract with the Hammers upon completing his £15million move from Manchester United in the summer of 2024, meaning he’s contracted at the London Stadium until 2031.

Penning such a deal painted an immediately clear picture that he was intended to be West Ham’s long-term starter at right-back, but now Walker-Peters’ form threatens that.

So, if he can’t win his place in the team back before the end of the season, then Hammers decision-makers may be keen to find a way out of that commitment.

Freddie Potts is playing for his West Ham future

With talk of a potential summer transfer exit for Mateus Fernandes, West Ham’s engine room could undergo some changes this summer.

And, with a considerable fee spent on acquiring Soungoutou Magassa last summer, the Hammers won’t be keen on giving up on the Frenchman just yet either.

Tomas Soucek is sure to at least see out his contract until the summer of 2027 if West Ham stay up too, and that leaves Freddie Potts in a difficult position.

The 22-year-old central midfielder has been entrusted to make the first-team leap at the London Stadium this season, but he’s not quite been able to deliver the goods.

He’s also now at an age where he can’t really fall back on academy football anymore, and so it’s either he forges out a first-team role with West Ham, or he probably needs to look for a new challenge elsewhere.

Whether that be on loan or permanently would remain to be seen, but should he fail to raise his performance levels between now and the end of the season, his only Irons reprieve may come if they are relegated.

If that’s the case, Potts could well see himself in a starting role in the second tier, and at the very least, West Ham would be sure to keep him around has quality strength in depth at that level.

Pablo needs to provide stronger West Ham performances

Signed as one of two striker signings in the January transfer window alongside Taty Castellanos, Pablo was the younger and the cheaper of the two new West Ham recruits.

Castellanos has become a bit of a hit with the Hammers faithful, as his work rate and personality have been a breath of fresh air, whilst his four goals in 12 league games has helped too.

However, that same warmth hasn’t quite been felt with Pablo yet, as the 22-year-old is yet to get off the goalscoring mark in 11 total appearances.

So, should West Ham stay up, then there will be big question marks over whether another striker needs to be brought in over the summer to provide sterner competition for Castellanos.

Pablo can possibly end that debate if he grabs a handful of goals before the end of the season, however.