🦁 PL Previews: What does life after Rice look like at West Ham? | OneFootball

An interesting season lies ahead for West Ham.

They come into it as the holders of a European trophy but having lost influential captain Declan Rice and it leaves a big hole to fill for David Moyes’ side.

How they cope without him anchoring their midfield is sure to be an ongoing topic throughout the campaign.

See all of our club previews right here.

Transfers 🔁

In: Edson Álvarez (West Ham, £34m)

Out: Declan Rice (Arsenal, £105m), Gianluca Scmacca (£21.5m), Manuel Lanzini (River Plate, free), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas, undisclosed)

Transfer balance: +£71m

Key fixtures 📆

🔑 Key player: Edson Álvarez

When filling the shoes of the captain, Hammer of the Year and star man, all eyes will be on you.

That is the case for Álvarez, the Mexican holding midfielder who arrives from Ajax after a successful four-year stint and whose reading of the game and unwavering commitment to the protection of his defence will be vital in replacing Rice.

The 25-year-old is a fine bit of business from the Hammers, given that both Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund had recently expressed serious interest in his signature.

What has changed since last season? 🤔

The biggest change is, of course, in midfield where Rice will no longer star for the Hammers but a fine replacement has been found in the form of Ajax anchorman Edson Álvarez.

Having waited so long this summer to make a signing, it seems that more are on the brink of following the Mexican to the capital, with deals for Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse having already been agreed.

Gianluca Scamacca has also returned to Italy after one disappointing season as he joins the list of big-money striker signings who didn’t work out as hoped.

There is also now new concern that Rice may not be the only key man to leave the club this summer, with Manchester City now tabling interest in Lucas Paquetá.

But fans will at least have the opportunity to enjoy having a European trophy housed at the stadium this season.

Predicted XI 🔮

(4-2-3-1) — Fabianski; Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Souček, Álvarez; Bowen, Paquetá, Benrahma; Ings.

Where will they finish? 🏆

Premier League: 11th

FA Cup: Fourth round

League Cup: Quarter-final

See all of our club previews right here.