West Ham United have lift off in the Julen Lopetegui era after they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on Saturday at Selhurst Park.
West Ham were beaten by Aston Villa in Lopetegui’s first game as manager, but now he has got the ball rolling with Aaron Wan-Bissaka playing a part after his transfer from Manchester United.
Wan-Bissaka ended his career at Manchester United by winning the FA Cup last season, but his services were no longer wanted by Erik ten Hag.
West Ham pounced and brought him on board, as he has already showcased what he is going to bring to the table for the coming season.
At Manchester United, Wan-Bissaka displayed a high level of defensive skill and the ability to defend against any player one-v-one.
But when he was brought onto the pitch after an hour against Palace, with the game still goalless, it was his final third play that shone brightly.
The 26-year-old didn’t get the assist for Tomas Soucek’s goal, but he played a part when he won the ball back and then delivered the ball brilliantly around the corner to the on-rushing Jarrod Bowen, and after a scramble, they opened the scoring.
Lopetegui has opted against starting many of his new signings, but you feel Wan-Bissaka is now pretty close to that with Vladimir Coufal getting the nod so far.
Ian Wright hailed the right-back for his impact off the bench and how he came back to haunt his former side, as he told Premier League Productions (24/08/24 at 8:40 pm).
Aaron Wan-Bissaka impact
“Wan-Bissaka does fantastic here where he won that ball,” said Wright. “Kept hold of it, kept it going, a brilliant ball inside and from here, you are hoping they can clear their lines Palace. They can’t quite clear their lines.
“Then there he (Soucek) just coming onto it and he just puts it into the goal. Really good goal and work there from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a former Palace player.”
West Ham’s summer transfer window
It has been as good as anyone else’s and it might just get better before Friday’s deadline.
West Ham are interested in Carlos Soler, as the PSG midfielder would be a brilliant addition to the team’s midfield.
READ MORE: 50 MOST LIKELY PREMIER LEAGUE, EFL AND EUROPEAN SUMMER 2024 FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
Soler has been compared to Martin Odegaard, but that also means the Hammers need to trim their squad.
Kurt Zouma is still at the club, whilst there were even question marks over Soucek’s future, but it looks like he won’t be going anywhere.
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