West Ham are currently undergoing a huge shift in style. New manager Julen Lopetegui has taken the reins, there have been plenty of incomings and outgoings during the transfer window, and the new manager is trying to guide the group into a more ball-dominant era.
This is a big change from David Moyes last season, who is known as a more pragmatic coach, looking to defend first, and hit teams on the break in transition. The Hammers averaged 40.5% possession last season, the fourth lowest in the division.
Another big change the Hammers are still trying to recover from, is the loss of Declan Rice, who left to join Arsenal in 2023 for a fee of around £105m, signing a five-year deal with the Gunners.
Declan Rice’s career at West Ham
Having started off at Chelsea’s academy, Rice eventually moved to West Ham aged 14, having been released by the Blues. The midfielder then emerged through West Ham’s academy, making 32 appearances for the U21 side, before earning his senior debut against Burnley in 2017.
Rice went on to make 245 appearances for West Ham, scoring 15 times, providing 13 assists, and totaling 20,580 minutes, captaining the Hammers and leading them to a UEFA Conference League triumph.
The England international’s meteoric rise saw him become the ninth-youngest player to reach 200 Premier League appearances at 24 years and 105 days. With his prime years still ahead of him, many believe he will go on to achieve even bigger things with Arsenal and even the national team.
