West Ham United’s pre-season friendly against Celta Vigo showcased a mix of promise and concern, as Lucas Paqueta’s sublime performance and Crysencio Summerville’s shining display were offset by a defensively suspect backline.
In their final warm-up game before the new season, West Ham drew 2-2 with the La Liga side, with Paqueta orchestrating a beautiful second goal for the Hammers. However, the defensive frailties that have plagued the team in pre-season were once again exposed, highlighting the need for new signings to bolster the backline.
Manager Julen Lopetegui has been honest about his dissatisfaction with the team’s performances in recent friendlies, and the signing of top-class centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo on loan with an obligation to buy is a step in the right direction. The expected arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka will also provide much-needed reinforcement.
In attack, West Ham showed signs of promise, with Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen impressing. However, the limitations of Michail Antonio and new signing Niclas Fullkrug were also apparent, highlighting the need for further attacking reinforcements.
The Hammers’ attacking play was a joy to watch at times, with Paqueta pulling the strings from midfield. His vision and passing range were on full display, and he looks set to be a key player for West Ham this season.
However, the defensive issues that have plagued the team in pre-season cannot be ignored. Vladimir Coufal struggled at right-back, and the central defensive pairing of Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos looked shaky at times. The arrival of Todibo and Wan-Bissaka cannot come soon enough.
Despite the defensive concerns, there were plenty of positives to take from the game. Summerville’s pace and skill caused problems for the Celta Vigo defense, and he looks like a promising addition to the West Ham squad.
As the new season approaches, West Ham fans will be hoping that the team can build on the positives from this game and address the defensive issues that have been evident in pre-season. With a few more signings and some fine-tuning, the Hammers could be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Here are the West Ham player ratings vs Celta Vigo:
Alphonse Areola (7/10)
Vladimir Coufal (5/10)
Max Kilman (7/10)
Emerson Palmieri (6/10)
Guido Rodriguez (6/10)
Tomas Soucek (6/10)