West Ham edge closer to season start

West Ham field two new debuts and a returning defender for the season opener.

Hermansen and Diouf debut as Aguerd returns at Sunderland

West Ham named an altered starting XI for the 2025/26 Premier League opener at Sunderland, signaling a willingness to rotate and reward emerging players. Mads Hermansen starts in goal, behind a back three of Jean-Clair Todibo, Maximilian Kilman and Nayef Aguerd. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf operate as wing-backs, while Guido Rodríguez anchors the midfield with James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paquetá, the latter in a more advanced role. Up front, captain Jarrod Bowen lines up with Niclas Füllkrug.

The bench includes potential debuts for Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson, and a depth pool featuring Alphonse Areola, Dinos Mavropanos, Ollie Scarles, Edson Álvarez, Freddie Potts and Andy Irving. Bowen is set to make the 194th Premier League appearance for West Ham, tying with substitute Tomáš Souček, who could reach 195 if used. Sunderland’s match sheet lists their starting XI and subs, with Rob Jones refereeing the encounter.

This lineup signals a test of depth and a deliberate push to blend youth with experience. Hermansen’s full debut in goal shows Potter’s trust in the club’s younger keepers, while Diouf’s wing-back role adds pace and forward thrust to the wide areas. Aguerd’s return after a loan spell in Spain anchors a defence that aims for steadiness from the first whistle.

Paquetá’s position as the most advanced midfielder alongside Ward-Prowse and Rodríguez suggests a flexible front-foot approach, with Bowen and Füllkrug providing goal ready options. The occasion also carries milestones, such as Ward-Prowse’s ongoing Premier League tally, which puts extra attention on how the midfield will perform across tougher fixtures. The risk is a tilt toward inexperience if injuries bite early, but the match also offers a clear test of West Ham’s depth and adaptation under Potter.

Highlights

The season opener will set the tone for a busy period as West Ham balance ambition with available depth.