Julen Lopetegui‘s decision to omit Luis Guilherme from the matchday squad against Aston Villa highlights the manager’s ruthless approach to team selection.
The Spaniard’s focus on building a competitive squad is evident, with no player guaranteed a starting spot. While the exclusion of a highly-rated young talent like Guilherme may disappoint some fans, it’s a clear message that performance will be the primary factor in determining team selection.
This approach can be seen as a positive development for West Ham, as it fosters a competitive environment among the players. The fight for places in the starting lineup will undoubtedly improve the overall quality of the squad.
However, it’s crucial for the club to manage the expectations of young players like Guilherme, who will be eager to make their mark. Providing opportunities for development is essential to ensure the long-term success of the team.
Lopetegui’s decision to prioritise experience and consistency in the opening game is understandable, but it’s important to balance this approach with the need to integrate young talent into the first team.
This of course happens at no other PL club. Or perhaps the reason that it feels so unusual to Simon is that Moyes had a small squad and a pretty obvious first choice eleven which meant that any injury or suspension to one of those became an instant crisis. Alvarez is out for example at the moment which under Moyes would have meant much wailing and gnashing of teeth among the faithful. Now, the biggest issues seems to be who he replaces when he is fit. Imagine, not having to rush players back from injury. Perhaps they won’t break down again before half time?
Performance is a criteria but there’s also going to be a lot around who you are playing and the plans for the game. Guilherme on the bench against Manchester City might make no sense, but against say Southampton, or Palace, or Fulham, or Ipswich etc?
Or perhaps we just revert to Big Sam’s plan? Dunk a whole lot of young players into a cup game they were ill prepared for and see how badly it damages their confidence.?
Great comment Dudley.
Last season with moyes preference for a smaller squad we had no one on the bench who could change things.This season will be different.
If, as you say performance is the key for lop then why on earth did we all have to suffer the sight of soucek plodding around in midfield alo game where offered the square root of zero?
So J-Lo could better assess Soucek over a full 90 minutes?! It’s just one game so I am sure J-Lo will be assessing other players to determine his favoured starting 11. I hope it’s going to be a relatively short time before he knows what he wants from his team and we start getting results.
Until then… chin up!
I never expected Guilherme to get a lot of game time, I wasn’t surprised when he didn’t make the squad. There will be times but not when the opposition is as good as Villa are at the moment.
Villa are punching well above their weight won’t be possible for them to keep up indefinitely but for the moment they are.
West ham’s squad is much stronger than last year. The manager will gradually integrate the new signings and leave out the so called dead wood. Judge the manager over the season. Remember it’s a marathon over 38 games not a sprint.