Julen Lopetegui faces an incredibly critical moment in his managerial tenure at West Ham United as he prepares for a crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle United on November 25. With his job hanging in the balance, the Spaniard could make several bold and decisive changes to his starting XI in an effort to avoid further setbacks and reverse his team’s recent slump. West Ham’s underwhelming 0-0 draw against Everton, a match that many pundits have described as one of the worst displays in recent Premier League history, has highlighted the urgent need for transformation within the squad. The international break offers Lopetegui the opportunity to recalibrate, and he’s likely to use this time to implement significant changes that could ultimately shape the trajectory of his tenure at the London Stadium.
A key area of focus will undoubtedly be the midfield, which has come under fire for its lack of dynamism and cohesion. West Ham’s midfield, once a source of strength, has been slow, predictable, and often outmuscled by more energetic sides. Guido Rodriguez, in particular, has been singled out for criticism, with many viewing him as emblematic of the team’s stagnation in the centre of the park. Lopetegui could be forced to drop the Argentine and make way for other midfield options to shore up the team’s defensive solidity and offer more creativity and energy going forward. Edson Alvarez, returning from suspension, is expected to rejoin Tomas Soucek in the midfield engine room, providing a more solid foundation for the Hammers to build upon. Alvarez’s disciplined and hard-working nature should offer a better balance alongside Soucek, whose own performances have been erratic this season but at least offer some form of defensive cover.
Another high-profile change could be the dropping of Lucas Paqueta, whose performances have failed to live up to the high expectations set at the beginning of the season. Paqueta, once touted as a potential game-changer for West Ham, has been inconsistent, and Lopetegui may see this as the right moment to bring in Carlos Soler in an attempt to inject more fluidity and control into the midfield. Soler has yet to make a significant impact since joining the club, but his technical ability and passing range could offer an upgrade in midfield, especially in a formation that seeks to match Newcastle’s robust central trio of Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães, and Sandro Tonali. With West
