westhamfans.org

Brighton: Verbruggen, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan, Milner, Gilmour, Gross, Welbeck, March, Mitoma, Ferguson
Subs: Steele, Julio, Dahoud, Joao Pedro, Lallana, Adingra, Van Hecke, Veltman, Buonanotte

West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Alvarez, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen, Antonio
Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Cresswell, Fornals, Cornet, Ings, Benrahma, Kehrer, Mubama

While most of the attention surrounding West Ham is on the much needed arrival of players since the departure of talisman Declan Rice, there is a growing acknowledgement that a 'train' of players may well depart ahead of the closing of the transfer window next week.

With only SEVEN DAYS to go Hammers recruitment drive is in full swing with D.O.F Tim Steiedten racking up his 'avios' in the private jet he currently uses to bring new signings on board. Fresh on the heels of James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez and Konstantinos Mavropanos appears to be Mohammed Kudos.

West Ham are now close to agreeing a £38 Million deal for Ajax's Mohammed Kudus, as with any deal of this magnitude there were several 'complications' that needed to be sorted out, mainly agent and club related, but the player himself has handled the situation extremely well during the negotiations.

That was until a couple of days ago when 23 year old Mohammed Kudus decided he had enough of all the shenanigans. He outrightly denied that his demands were in anyway impacting on the deal he wanted completed, he did not want to be seen as someone who didn't want the move.

It was always a case of David Moyes having a 'meeting of minds' with new technical director Tim Steidten before Hammers could really progress in the transfer market and it appears that is exactly what has happened as Moyes and Steidten's targets seem to have 'harmonised' in recent days.

West Ham are hoping to strengthen their frontline with the signing of Hugo Etikite from PSG. The 21-year-old rose to stardom at Reims in 2020 and turned down the chance to join Newcastle in January 2022 as the club faced a relegation battle.

West Ham have finally added 'bubble' born defender Konstantinos Mavropanos from Stuttgart for a fee of €21 Million excluding add ons. Mavropanos has signed a five-year contract with the Irons and has taken the number 15 shirt. The 25-year-old was Arsene Wenger's last signing at Arsenal but endured a torrid time between 2018 and 2022 where he made just seven Premier League appearances.

According to Mucho Deporte in Spain, West Ham United need to present a higher proposal if they are to sign “very important” Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri, they report that the Hammers are at the front of the queue for the Moroccan international but would need to present a higher offer than the £27 Million they offered for him previously.

First home fixture of the season, capacity crowd, Sunny afternoon and the visit of one of the club's fiercest rivals, what more could a fan want? Well a 3-1 victory after going down to ten men might do, mightn't it? Throw in your new first choice goalkeeper saving a pen at a crucial stage in the game and you kind of get the picture!

West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Aguerd, Zouma, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Paqueta, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio
Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Cornet, Ings, Ogbonna, Mubama, Fornals, Cresswell, Alvarez

Chelsea: Sanchez, Disasi, Colwill, Silva, Gusto, Chilwell, Fernandez, Gallagher, Sterling, Chukwuemeka, Jackson
Subs: Bergstrom, Cucurella, Mudryk, Madueke, Ugochukwu, Caicedo, Maatsen, Burstow, Humphreys

Those fans turning up for West Ham United's first home game of the season should be prepared for lengthy queues as security will be tight to say the least, the fact it is the first home game AND that it is against London rivals Chelsea WILL mean incredibly long waiting times to get in through the Stadium's 'security net'.