The begin to the 2024/25 marketing campaign has been underwhelming, to say the least, for West Ham United, with the membership failing to have the fast success desired after an bold switch window.
Over £100m was spent on new signings to offer new boss Julen Lopetegui with all of the ammunition wanted to be successful throughout his debut marketing campaign because the Hammers boss.
Nonetheless, the Spaniard has endured a troublesome begin to life on the London Stadium, profitable simply two of his opening eight outings – together with his solely Premier League win coming over Crystal Palace again in August.
Strain is already mounting on the 58-year-old given his below-par begin to life within the capital, with this weekend’s fixture towards Ipswich City a pivotal outing if he’s to be successful with the Hammers.
While Lopetegui is but to tug up any timber as West Ham boss, a number of of his new additions have additionally did not impress, together with one participant who arrived on the London Stadium with excessive expectations.
Guido Rodríguez’s stats at West Ham
After arriving on a free switch from Spanish facet Actual Betis this summer season, midfielder Guido Rodriguez joined West Ham with actual pedigree after his constant shows in LaLiga which noticed him rack up 173 appearances for Los Verdiblancos.
Nonetheless, his begin to life with the Hammers hasn’t been plain crusing, usually failing to impress regardless of beginning all six league matches since his summer season switch.
His most embarrassing second undoubtedly got here within the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, with the Argentinian star hooked after simply 38 minutes by Lopetegui, subsequently being changed by Tomas Soucek.
Rodriguez nonetheless has time to show round his below-par begin to life in England, however given the membership’s present poor type since Lopetegui’s arrival, he could discover himself out and in of the crew because the Spaniard seems to discover a settled beginning eleven.
The skilled boss could remorse sanctioning the sale of 1 participant who has starred away from the London Stadium after securing a everlasting transfer through the summer season switch window.
The previous West Ham star who’s outperformed Rodriguez
Boyhood West Ham fan Flynn Downes spent one season within the membership’s first crew earlier than a mortgage spell at Southampton final season, in an try to realize extra common sport time.
After serving to the Saints safe an instantaneous return to the highest flight, he departed the Hammers in a £18m deal, ending his keep within the capital with out an look underneath the brand new boss.
Nonetheless, it could be a call that Lopetegui might remorse given his type for Russell Martin’s facet, which has seen him outperform new signing Rodriguez in quite a few key areas for a midfielder.
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How Downes & Rodriguez evaluate within the Premier League (2024/25) |
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|---|---|---|
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Statistics (per 90) |
Downes |
Rodriguez |
|
Video games performed |
6 |
6 |
|
Minutes performed |
540 |
460 |
|
Progressive carries |
2 |
0.2 |
|
Progressive passes |
4.8 |
2.4 |
|
Cross accuracy |
93% |
84% |
|
Tackles received |
1.2 |
1 |
|
Interceptions |
2 |
1.6 |
|
Stats by way of FBref |
||
The “monstrous” expertise, as described by present boss Martin, has accomplished extra of the passes he’s tried this season, with extra of his makes an attempt being progressive in comparison with the Argentinian.
A move is taken into account progressive if the gap between the place to begin and the following contact is at the least 10 meters nearer to the opponent’s purpose or any accomplished move into the penalty space.
Downes has additionally began defensively, profitable extra tackles and finishing extra interceptions per 90, probably exhibiting Lopetegui what he’s lacking by offloading the 25-year-old.
Does the membership miss him? Probably, together with his box-to-box profile offering that dimension that the Hammers have been desperately missing since his appointment through the summer season.
It’s nonetheless early days for the 58-year-old throughout his time on the helm, however Downes’ need to succeed for his boyhood membership might’ve proved to be the distinction for the membership throughout their present stoop in type initially of the 2024/25 marketing campaign.
