Russ Budden
The international break is always a chance to reflect, and as West Ham United fans, there’s plenty to talk about. With our players featuring in national teams around the world, it’s interesting to see how they’re performing and what it could mean for the Premier League season ahead.
In this post, we’ll dive into five key takeaways from the first set of international games, focusing on how our Hammers are faring and what it could mean for West Ham United’s upcoming matches.
1. Niclas Füllkrug Shows His Goal-Scoring Instincts
One of the major signings for West Ham United this season has been Niclas Füllkrug, and his international performances have only reinforced why we signed him. In Germany’s 3-1 win over Hungary, Füllkrug was in top form, scoring a key goal and proving why he’s known for his goal-scoring ability.
Füllkrug is a classic number nine, and his role in David Moyes’ system could be crucial. If Kudus and Jarrod Bowen play narrow to support him, and with full-backs like Emerson and Vladimir Coufal providing width, we could see the best of him at the London Stadium.
2. Jarrod Bowen as a Striker: A New Option?
Jarrod Bowen has been in fantastic form this season, and during England’s 2-0 win against Ireland, we saw something different – Bowen played centrally as a striker. Coming off the bench, he had a real impact, and it’s making Lee Carsley consider him as a viable option in attack.
Could this be something we see at West Ham? With Mohammed Kudus taking up the right-wing position and Bowen playing centrally, it could be a new attacking option for Moyes. It’s a tactic worth considering, especially given Bowen’s direct style of play and pace, which could cause problems for Premier League defenders.
3. Konstantinos Mavropanos Shines for Greece
Konstantinos Mavropanos has had a relatively quiet start to his West Ham United career, but his performance for Greece in their 3-0 win over Finland was anything but quiet. He played the full 90 minutes, impressing with solid defensive work and excellent passing accuracy.
With Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo arguably being first-choice center-backs, Mavropanos’ international form could see him push for more starts. Competition is always healthy, and if Lopetegui wants to keep his squad fresh for both Premier League and cup fixtures, Mavropanos could be an important asset.
4. Alphonse Areola’s Injury: A Positive Update
There was some worry when Alphonse Areola picked up an injury against Manchester City, but the good news is that it doesn’t seem too serious. Areola was fit enough to be named on the bench for France’s 2-1 win against Italy, and it looks like he’ll be back to full fitness for West Ham’s next game against Fulham.
Areola has been a standout performer this season, and keeping him fit is crucial as we head into a busy period with Premier League and cup commitments.
5. West Ham’s Veterans Struggling for Form
Sadly, it hasn’t been the best international break for some of West Ham’s more experienced players. Tomas Souček, Michail Antonio, and Vladimir Coufal have all struggled in recent games for their respective countries.
Souček, in particular, came under fire after the Czech Republic’s 4-0 loss to Georgia. With players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Edson Álvarez, and Mohammed Kudus performing well, it may be time to see some rotation in the West Ham starting XI.
The international break always gives us insight into how players are performing and what changes might be on the horizon. For West Ham United, the performances of players like Niclas Füllkrug, Jarrod Bowen, and Konstantinos Mavropanos could shape the team’s tactics going forward.
What are your thoughts on the players’ performances during the international break? Let us know in the comments below!
