Julen Lopetegui looks set to drop a top star as one of two big changes as West Ham take on Ipswich in the Premier League.
How will Julen Lopetegui react under pressure at West Ham.
But this game is huge for West Ham going into the international break.
So surely Lopetegui will not drop Kudus – a risky move that could backfire spectacularly.
Top star dropped in big West Ham shake-up?
He will drop another Hammers regular, though, if our predicted team proves correct – as it did last weekend at Brentford.
We think a top star will be dropped in a big shake-up as Lopetegui makes two West Ham changes for Ipswich.
Emerson Palmieri has been off form all year, let alone this season.
Lopetegui highlighted in his pre-match press conference for Ipswich that it wasn’t only Kudus he subbed for tactical reasons at half-time against Brentford.
“I took Emerson off too,” Lopetegui said.
“But nobody is talking about that.”
Given Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s excellent performances when switching to left-back and how Konstantinos Mavropanos impressed at right-back, we think Lopetegui will make a major change to the back-line against the Tractor Boys.
Emerson will be dropped and Wan-Bissaka will switch to the left with Mavropanos coming back in to the starting XI at right-back.
Many fans want to see Jarrod Bowen start up front with Kudus on the right and Crysencio Summerville on the left.
But Lopetegui has been reluctant to do that so far. And we think change two will be more straightforward.
READ MORE: Five big things spotted in West Ham training for Ipswich
Lopetegui makes two West Ham changes for Ipswich
Edson Alvarez is another who has been woefully out of form in 2024.
He lost his place under David Moyes at the end of last season. And the Mexican has failed to impress this term – albeit after an injury over the summer.
Alvarez’s brainless sending off at Liverpool in the cup cost the Hammers dear.
He was also dreadful when West Ham were well beaten by Chelsea last time out at home.
But we think Lopetegui will bring Alvarez back into the starting XI in place for Guido Rodriguez.
What the manager should do and will do are two different things entirely.
Kudus should be playing in attacking midfield instead of Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian deserves to be dropped on form and Summerville warrants a start on the left.
Or Kudus should at least be on the right with Summerville left and Bowen up front.
We think Michail Antonio will start up top again, though.
And it’s time he got off the mark for the season.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Ipswich:
Areola, Mavropanos, Todibo, Kilman, Wan-Bissaka, Alvarez, Soucek, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio.
Leave a Reply