West Ham’s 2024-25 predicted Premier League finish, stats, best players and how they could line up under Potter

West Ham United are in a new era in the 2024-25 Premier League with Graham Potter now at the helm.

Julen Lopetegui replaced David Moyes in the summer, but his stay at the London Stadium was not a long one. The Spaniard really struggled to get West Ham going in the Premier League and didn’t win over the fans either.

He left the Hammers 14th in the Premier League after 20 games, just seven points clear of the relegation zone. But only two teams boasted a worse goal difference than West Ham’s -15 after 20 games, showing the real problem at the London Stadium.

Things aren’t overly bleak, though, with West Ham given an implied probability of 4.76% of relegation per bet365‘s odds.

Latest West Ham odds to finish in the 2024-25 Premier League top six

West Ham’s transfer window business

To offset their big spending, West Ham cashed in on some fringe players or those who hadn’t quite made the grade, including Flynn Downes, Said Benrahma and Thilo Kehrer, while Ben Johnson and Angelo Ogbonna left at the end of their contracts. Nayef Aguerd, James Ward-Prowse, Kurt Zouma and Maxwel Cornet sealed loan moves away, while Kalvin Phillips’ loan was not made permanent.

James Ward-Prowse was recalled from his loan in January, while Brighton youngster Evan Ferguson has joined until the end of the season.

Who are West Ham’s most important players?

West Ham’s top Premier League Golden Boot contender: Jarrod Bowen

Jarrod Bowen had a strong 2023-24, being directly involved in 22 goals in 34 Premier League games. His increased numbers came as a result of playing through the middle more often.

Despite moving back over to the right more this season, Bowen is still West Ham’s top scorer in the Premier League. The Englishman has scored six goals, which obviously isn’t too high. But he sits one clear of Tomas Soucek among West Ham players. Bowen also leads West Ham for shots (53) and shots on target (23), as well as Expected Goals (4.92).

West Ham’s primary playmaker: Jarrod Bowen

Bowen has created 39 chances in the Premier League this season, more than any other West Ham player. He also sits top of the charts for big chances created (6) and assists (4). Altogether, Bowen has been directly involved in 10 of West Ham’s 29 Premier League goals this season.

West Ham’s card magnets & top tacklers: Lucas Paqueta

Lucas Paqueta has been reinvented as a combative midfielder. And it’s working well for West Ham. The Brazilian has made 48 tackles in the Premier League this season, the second-most among West Ham players. Only full-back Emerson (49) has made more for the Hammers.

But Paqueta is the most-frequent fouler. Playing in the middle of the pitch, Paqueta has committed 32 fouls in the Premier League this season, one more than second-placed Tomas Soucek. He’s also been booked six times, one of six West Ham players to be suspended for yellow card accumulation so far this season.

West Ham’s rising star: Luis Guilherme

West Ham have a more experienced squad with a smattering of younger players. And Luis Guilherme is one of those hoping to make his mark. The Brazilian teenager joined West Ham in the summer and has played six times so far in the Premier League. But he hasn’t played more than 20 minutes in a single match.

The teenager has appeared in four of West Ham’s past six Premier League games though, and will be hoping for more game time under Potter.

West Ham’s set-piece specialists:

• Penalties: Lucas Paqueta
• Free kicks: Emerson
• Corners: Jarrod Bowen and Emerson

West Ham’s tactical analysis, formation & player ratings

West Ham team stats from the 2023-24 Premier League season (avg per game):

• Corners: 4.42
• Shots on target: 4.05
• Shots on target conceded: 6.47
• Offsides: 1.87

How West Ham could line up under Graham Potter

No real revolution

In his first game as West Ham manager, Graham Potter opted with the 4-2-3-1 that Lopetegui had ended his stint using. This is a formation that Potter has history with, and he may opt to go with it in the early stages, to steady the ship. We’ve already seen Ruben Amorim struggle with an immediate overhaul at Manchester United.

In terms of personnel, there also isn’t too much difference from Potter’s first XI. Assuming everyone is fit, Jarrod Bowen will be one of the changes, sticking on the right flank. That would see Crysencio Summerville drop down to the bench, with Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta making up the rest of the front line. Paqueta would be the pressing man in the midfield while trying to influence the game too, much like Mason Mount at Chelsea.

Further back, Tomas Soucek will be in a more reserved role alongside Edson Alvarez. But of the two, Soucek will be the one more likely to get involved in pushing forward. Defensively, Emerson should get back into the team once fit, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the other flank. The full-backs will continue to be attacking, spending more time in the opposition half.

Working his magic

If Potter does want to get straight into his style of football, once given more than 24 hours in charge, then we may see West Ham switch to a back three. There may be shudders around London Stadium at the thought of a back three, but Potter’s is very much an attacking back three. There’ll be no Victorian football here. A note that the two occasions West Ham played a back three under Julen Lopetegui saw them lose 3-0.

Under Potter, the wing-backs are very attacking, and provide most of the width. In a 3-4-2-1, the two players behind the striker tuck in the provide added threat through the middle. Here, Paqueta and Kudus will probably be the options. Paqueta will be the pressing midfielder a la Conor Gallagher, while Kudus floods the box to provide another body. If that is the case, then Bowen is the starting striker, adding a bit of fluidity that Potter does like. Of course, Fullkrug is another option for a natural striker, which would see Bowen drop into one of the No.10 roles.

The midfield personnel would remain the same, while Jean-Clair Todibo completes the back three alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos and Maximilian Kilman. They all need to be good at passing for this to work.

A busy January

Initially, it seemed that head coach Graham Potter would receive some support during the January transfer window, but that did not materialize. One of the early players linked to Potter was Ben Chilwell, who previously played under him at Chelsea. Chelsea attempted to sell Chilwell in the summer without success, and although he is on the market again, he will remain in west London until the end of the season.

The Hammers have also been linked with Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, as Potter reportedly seeks a forward who can effectively lead the line. Evan Ferguson has now joined on loan from Brighton for the remainder of the season. James Ward-Prowse, who was surprisingly loaned out to Nottingham Forest last summer, has returned and could be a valuable asset for Potter moving forward.

West Ham 2024-25 player ratings

• GK: Lukasz Fabianski – 49% – Fabianski has been reliable for West Ham this season, preventing 2.66 goals in the Premier League. Only one goalkeeper has prevented more.
• RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 70% – As expected, Wan-Bissaka hasn’t offered too much in attack but has been solid defensively so far winning 60% of his ground duels.
• CB: Konstantinos Mavropanos – 53% – He’s taken over as part of the most-used centre-back duo, and the Greek defender has won an impressive 76.27% of his aerial duels.
• CB: Max Kilman – 54% – Kilman is taking a while to settle at the heart of the West Ham defence. But he has only lost 0.17 challenges per 90.
• LB: Emerson – 65% – Emerson has performed slightly worse than his partner on the opposite flank. The Italian has won 55% of his ground duels but remains a set piece threat.
• DM: Tomas Soucek – 60% – Soucek has played in a few roles for West Ham this season, but he remains a beast in the air wherever he is. The Czech midfielder has won 3.69 aerial duels per 90 this season.
• DM: Edson Alvarez – 46%  – The Mexican hasn’t been too good in terms of a defensive shield, with just 0.95 interceptions and 1.38 tackles won per 90. Alvarez will hope for more stability under Potter.
• CM: Lucas Paqueta – 52% – His Score has been hindered slightly by the fact that he’s played in a few different roles. But Paqueta has averaged 1.67 tackles won per 90.
• RW: Jarrod Bowen – 73% – The best of an underperforming bunch, Bowen has carried the responsibility of goalscoring and chance creation for West Ham so far.
• LW: Crysencio Summerville – 69% – Has just one goal and one assist to his name this season but has created 0.35 big chances per 90. His struggles aren’t solely his own fault.
• CF: Michail Antonio – 49% – Antonio is out for an unspecified period after his car accident, and he’s only scored one goal in the league this season.

West Ham’s full Premier League 2024-25 squad

West Ham FAQs

Where did West Ham finish in the 2023/24 Premier League season?

West Ham finished ninth in the Premier League last season, 11 points outside the European places.

Who is the West Ham manager?

Julen Lopetegui is West Ham’s manager, replacing David Moyes in the summer.

Who is the current West Ham captain?

Jarrod Bowen is the West Ham captain, with Aaron Cresswell acting as vice-captain.

What is West Ham’s best Premier League finish?

West Ham finished 5th in the 1998/99 season, 10 points behind fourth-placed Leeds. They’ve finished in the top half of the table in 14 of their 28 Premier League seasons.

West Ham upcoming fixtures

More Premier League 2024-25 content:

• Premier League 2024-25 outright odds
• Premier League 2024-25 Golden Boot odds
• Premier League net spend