West Ham fell to a 3-1 defeat against Wolves as new manager Julen Lopetegui experienced a setback in his first matchup against his former team.
There were concerns about whether this pre-season fixture would proceed due to heavy rain and thunderstorms that led to a two-hour delay in kickoff in Jacksonville, Florida.
Nevertheless, ground staff made diligent efforts to clear standing water from the pitch, and once the severe weather alert was lifted, the match could commence.
Here, Mail Sport outlines five key takeaways from the game…
West Ham were defeated 3-1 by Wolves during a rainy night in Jacksonville on Saturday
Lopetegui’s new approach benefits some players more than others
Lopetegui’s desired playing style for West Ham was apparent from the outset, as his squad pressed Wolves aggressively right from the first whistle.
The Spanish coach aims for an intense style, and his players appeared fit and energized at the beginning, despite falling behind in the 18th minute.
However, it became clear that Lopetegui’s system may favor certain players over others. Tomas Soucek struggled with ball possession and was responsible for Wolves’ first goal due to a costly mistake near his own goal. Youngster Freddie Potts, who had a productive loan spell with Wycombe last season, seemed more at ease within the new framework.
While the midfielder would likely seek more involvement, he was proactive in possession and sought to advance his team forward.
Julen Lopetegui’s new style of play favors some West Ham players more than others
The Hammers appeared to press less aggressively in the second half, with Michail Antonio applying less pressure on Wolves’ defenders compared to Danny Ings in the first half.
Lopetegui still has several weeks to instill his tactics into his players, with the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, and Edson Alvarez (who is currently injured) set to join the squad in Tampa next week.
Kudus is crucial
It’s not surprising that Mohammed Kudus is on the radar of other clubs, and the forward demonstrated why he will be pivotal for Lopetegui this season.
Kudus was West Ham’s standout player in the first half, netting a well-executed solo goal to equalize before halftime.
As the best attacking option for West Ham, he attempted to create opportunities in the first half until his substitution at the break. The Hammers noticeably lacked potency in front of goal once he exited.
Retaining the 23-year-old, who has an £85 million release clause effective in the summer of 2025, is vital for the club’s ambitions of competing for European spots.
Mohammed Kudus will be critical for the Hammers next season – if they manage to secure him
A new striker is necessary
It is widely acknowledged that acquiring a new center forward is one of West Ham’s top priorities this summer, and this match underscored the need for reinforcements.
Danny Ings started as the No 9 and, despite limited service, appeared lively in the first half as he attempted to initiate the press upfront. His future remains uncertain, particularly with links to a potential return to Southampton, but he demonstrated he can still be a valuable asset to the team.
Maxwel Cornet, who had few opportunities last season, failed to leave a mark on the game, making it unlikely that he will play a significant role under Lopetegui.
Technical director Tim Steidten, who is overseeing transfers, was present during the match and will recognize the pressing need for a prolific striker.
Jhon Duran has been a long-term target, but the club has yet to reach an agreement with Aston Villa. Steidten is exploring alternative options but is aware that the clock is ticking ahead of the new season.
Defensive concerns persist
West Ham’s defensive challenges were prominent during the second half of last season, as the team struggled to keep clean sheets for 17 consecutive matches.
The acquisition of Max Kilman, who played against his former club in the second half, was a welcome addition, but Lopetegui may need to further fortify his defense before the new season kicks off.
The Hammers were frequently exposed in the second half and conceded twice due to allowing crosses into the box.
The lack of pace in the defense was again highlighted by Wolves’ wingers. West Ham is seeking to strengthen the right-back position, with Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka a prime target after negotiations with Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui fell through.
The scarcity of options at right back was illustrated by Kaelan Casey, a center back by trade, filling in that role midway through the second half.
The heavy rain prior to kickoff raised questions about the decision to hold this game in Florida
Concerns over weather
While the heavy rainfall may have been an unusual experience for some players, locals refer to July as “flood season” in Florida, raising questions about the choice of venue for this match.
Similar weather conditions are anticipated for Wolves’ match against Crystal Palace in Annapolis on Wednesday, and rain and thunderstorms are also predicted in Tampa, where West Ham will face the Eagles on Saturday.
It is uncertain how close organizers came to postponing Saturday’s match, but the two-hour delay in kickoff, which affected both teams’ travel schedules afterward, was far from ideal.
The determination to ensure the match proceeded despite the severe weather also highlights the financial incentives associated with hosting these games abroad.
