Unleash Fullkrug & Summerville | West Ham v Bournemouth Preview

Tonight’s League Cup match against AFC Bournemouth at The London Stadium offers West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui an ideal chance to evaluate his new signings.

While I’m usually against making too many changes for cup games, which I believe should be taken seriously, the depth of the current squad allows the Hammers to rotate the line-up without significantly compromising quality.

With the season still in its early stages, some players have had to be patient, and I’m particularly excited to see Crysencio Summerville in action. The £25 million signing from Leeds didn’t feature in the recent win against Crystal Palace, but I’m confident he’ll get substantial playing time tonight.

Niclas Füllkrug has also been waiting for his opportunity after playing second fiddle to Michail Antonio. This Carabao Cup tie is the perfect moment to showcase his abilities. Jean-Clair Todibo may face the toughest challenge, given West Ham’s recent clean sheet at Selhurst Park, a rare achievement. Konstantinos Mavropanos is likely to keep his spot for the upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City, so Todibo will be eager to make his mark and challenge the starting centre-back duo.

Lastly, there’s Luis Guilherme. The young Brazilian, who was West Ham’s first signing of the transfer window, has had limited chances to shine. Aside from a few pre-season games, the 18-year-old has been on the periphery, but tonight could be his opportunity to earn a spot on the bench for the Manchester City game.

Overall, I’m looking forward to this match and believe that including these players won’t significantly harm our chances. The West Ham bench will be filled with game-changing talent if needed, though I expect Bournemouth to provide a tricky challenge.