West Ham vs Sunderland

West Ham name two Premier League debutants in a busy start against Sunderland.

West Ham unveil two debutants as key signing misses Sunderland clash

West Ham name two Premier League debuts for the trip to Sunderland. Mads Hermansen starts in goal, the club’s £18 million signing from Leicester City, after hints from Graham Potter that he might be chosen ahead of Alphonse Areola. El Hadji Malick Diouf starts at left wing-back, a role he has already made his own during the pre-season tour thanks to his crossing range. The back three is Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman and Nayef Aguerd, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right wing-back. Up front Niclas Fullkrug is supported by Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse behind him, while Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta feature in midfield depth. West Ham have also signalled they are open to selling Rodriguez before the window closes, signaling a shifting balance in the squad.

Sunderland’s side reflects a new era under Regis Le Bris, with Granit Xhaka wearing the armband and a fresh group including Reinildo, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra and Simon Adingra starting. Robin Roefs starts in goal, a move linked to potential West Ham interest. The match marks Sunderland’s first top-flight opener since 2016, while West Ham’s blend of youth and established players tests the visitors’ depth. The bench includes Edson Alvarez, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Tomas Soucek, Ollie Scarles and Freddie Potts, with captain Bowen dismissing the idea that Potts is any less than a future star.

Graham Potter is leaning into a plan that blends fresh energy with selective experience. The selection of Hermansen signals a willingness to put trust in youth and a long-term project, while Diouf adds pace and width that could complicate Sunderland’s defensive shape. However, the mix of new faces and a thin depth chart in certain areas creates a potential mismatch if injuries or suspensions strike early in the season. Potter’s method looks pragmatic rather than flashy, aiming to build a compact unit that can grow together over the next few months.

The wider backdrop is a West Ham window replete with questions about balance and budget. The reported openness to selling Rodriguez hints at a clear preference to recalibrate the squad’s financial sheet while still pursuing talent. If Rodriguez leaves, Potts and others will be thrust into bigger roles sooner, testing whether this youth-forward strategy can sustain Premier League grind and European ambitions alike.

Highlights

The season will reveal if this youth-forward path can carry West Ham through a demanding campaign.