FPL 2024/25: Top 5 West Ham players to have in your team
West Ham United face a season of transition under new manager Julen Lopetegui and the impact of that might be felt in FPL. The club has undergone a significant squad overhaul, aiming to address defensive vulnerabilities and inject more attacking potency. Max Kilman has been signed from Wolves in a £40m deal, while Brazilian winger 18 year old Luis Guilherme has joined for £25.5m. They have also signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka for £15m from Manchester United and Crysencio Summerville from Leeds for £25m. Niclas Fullkrug and Jean-Clair Todibo have also signed from Borussia Dortmund and Nice respectively.
While the potential for a more expansive style is exciting whether it was worth parting ways with David Moyes, will be determined this season. The Hammers will strive to establish themselves as more than just a mid-table side, but breaking into the European places will require sustained performances throughout the season.
In FPL terms, West Ham provide an exciting collection of potential assets all in attack, midfield and defence. A run of Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Fulham may put FPL managers off initially – but these players must be on the radar at some point this season.
#1 Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen is the standout pick from West Ham having by far and away scored the most FPL points among his teammates last year. He scored 16 times and assisted six more as he accumulated 182 points and was his team’s main attacking threat. The England international had more total shots, shots on target and shots in the box than any other West Ham player. He also had the most big chances, joint with Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse which goes on to show that he is a two way threat. With an even more improved attacking set up alongside a new manager in Julen Lopetegui, Bowen will be expected to have the same level of impact again. He’s almost certain to be West Ham’s top scorer yet again. He is available for the price of £7.5m
#2 Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus had a solid start to life in the Premier League, scoring eight and assisting nine in his debut season. His 17 goal involvements ranked second among West Ham players, three ahead of set-piece specialist Ward-Prowse, and only behind Bowen. While David Moyes was careful and slowly integrated him into first-team action, the Ghanaian quickly established himself as an important player, making 33 appearances. He is very special footballer both in terms of the eye test and the underlying stats that accompany. With a season of Premier League experience under his belt now and a superior attacking force, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him explode numbers wise. At £6.5m, he is priced a full £1.0m cheaper than Bowen and when the fixtures improve, it will be a close call as to whether it is worth going for him and saving the cash.
#3 Alphonse Areola
Areola was one of the most popular goalkeepers in the game last season, largely thanks to his £4.0m starting price. The Frenchman has been given a price rise to £4.5m in 2024/25, in recognition of his likely status as the clear number one. He had a busy season last time out, with the Hammers defence conceding the fourth most shots.
Despite this, Areola was the sixth highest-scoring goalkeeper, managing 116 points. Expect a lot to change this time however, especially in terms of clean sheets. New manager Julen Lopetegui’s sides are always defensively solid and given the fact they have invested heavily in the backline, signing Jean Clair Todibo, Max Kilman and Aaron Wan Bissaka, expect there to be an increase in the clean sheets count this season.
#4 Crysencio Summerville
West Ham have made a number of exciting signings this window and among them is 22 year old Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United. In West Ham’s pre season win over Celta Vigo, the winger caught the eye on his debut in Hammers’ colours, having come off the bench to replace Jarrod Bowen. The Dutchman totaled 74 points in his last Premier League season in 2022/23, coming good at the end of the season when he was given a chance. Last season in the Championship, Summerville was arguably the standout player of the season, amassing 19 goals and 9 assists.
The Netherlands U21 international is comfortable either on the wing or in the No #10 role, and while he might not be a starter straight from the start, expect big things from him.
#5 Niclas Füllkrug
West Ham have also acquired the signing of Niclas Füllkrug from Borussia Dortmund. The German has exactly the profile that is stereotypically linked with success in the Premier League. The 7.0m also looked sharp on his West Ham debut, and becomes the second most-expensive member of the West Ham FPL squad, priced at that price. However, with 51 goals and 24 assists in the previous three seasons for German clubs Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund, the centre-forward will undoubtedly prove a popular choice for managers throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
