Graham Potter to field full squad for pre-season opener

Head Coach Graham Potter will field two different West Ham United teams in Saturday’s pre-season opener at Grasshopper Club Zurich.

Graham Potter to field full squad in pre-season opener

Head Coach Graham Potter will field two different West Ham United teams in Saturday’s pre-season opener at Grasshopper Club Zurich. After a week of training in the Black Forest in Germany, the Hammers traveled to Switzerland for the 3pm CEST kick-off at GC/Campus in Niederhasli. The first half lineup includes Alphonse Areola in goal, Jean-Clair Todibo and Maximilian Kilman as center-backs, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Ollie Scarles as full-backs. The midfield will be led by World Cup-winning Argentina player Guido Rodríguez, with James Ward-Prowse and Andy Irving. Captain Jarrod Bowen will play on the right wing, while Maxwel Cornet and Niclas Füllkrug will lead the attack.

Fielding two different teams gives Graham Potter an opportunity to evaluate his players ahead of the new season. By testing various formations and partnerships, Potter can assess the depth of his squad. This strategy may also help boost team morale, as it allows more players to showcase their skills. However, the effectiveness of such an approach remains to be seen, especially as the Premier League's competitive nature grows.

Highlights

Potter's tactical choices will be closely watched as they set the stage for the season ahead.