The anticipation around Julen Lopetegui’s first Premier League starting XI as West Ham United head coach was high, considering the £122 million spent on new signings. Ultimately, only two of the eight newcomers made the starting lineup against Aston Villa. Centre-back Maximilian Kilman and midfielder Guido Rodriguez were given the nod, while Jean-Clair Todibo, Crysencio Summerville, and Niclas Fullkrug were introduced from the bench.
One decision that raised eyebrows was Lopetegui’s choice to start Vladimir Coufal over Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who had recently joined from Manchester United for £15 million. The 26-year-old Coufal was preferred, as Wan-Bissaka was still regaining full fitness. This move was influenced by the departure of academy graduate Ben Johnson, which left the team in need of a right-back. Wan-Bissaka’s arrival at West Ham signaled a new era for the club, and he did not join as an understudy to Coufal.
Wan-Bissaka’s return to London for a match against Crystal Palace holds significance, as he began his career at Selhurst Park. However, Lopetegui has not yet revealed who he sees as his first-choice right-back. The upcoming games against Manchester City, Fulham, and Chelsea will provide more clarity on the matter.
Wan-Bissaka’s transfer to Manchester United in 2019 for £50 million was a testament to his rise through the ranks at his boyhood club. He had initially been a winger in Crystal Palace’s academy but was transitioned into a defender by former under-23 coach Richard Shaw. However, Wan-Bissaka struggled to consistently display his defensive abilities during his time at Old Trafford.
Joining West Ham was a “no brainer” for Wan-Bissaka, who aims to revive his career under Lopetegui. He expressed excitement about playing with a team that supports each other and has a winning mentality. Wan-Bissaka’s return to London holds sentimental value for him, as he was born there and considers it a significant part of his life.
Lopetegui spoke highly of Wan-Bissaka during a pre-match press conference, backing him to earn his first senior England call-up. The coach believes that Wan-Bissaka has a lot to offer the team and hopes he will prove himself.
However, Coufal is not willing to give up his spot in the team easily. West Ham exercised the one-year option in his contract in December, keeping him at the club. Talks of a contract extension have not taken place yet, but Coufal remains relaxed about the situation. If he struggles for game time in the coming months, he will reassess his future in January. Turkish side Galatasaray showed interest in signing him this summer, but no formal offer was made.
Coufal has been a consistent presence in the West Ham lineup since joining from Slavia Prague in 2020. In the 2022-23 season, he had only one assist in 38 appearances, but the following season saw a significant improvement with seven assists in 47 appearances across all competitions. Coufal is known for his attacking prowess, ranking in the top 10 Premier League defenders since 2019-20 for chances created and assists. In comparison, Wan-Bissaka’s best offensive season saw him provide five assists in 2020-21.
While Wan-Bissaka may have limitations going forward, he excels in one-on-one defensive situations. He has the highest number of tackles won among Premier League defenders since 2019-20. In fact, Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool and England defender, hailed him as the best one-on-one defender for a full-back in the world.
Wan-Bissaka has faced challenges before and is determined to reclaim a regular starting spot. However, Coufal has proven himself in the face of competition from Ryan Fredericks, Thilo Kehrer, and Ben Johnson. The battle for the right-back position at West Ham is well underway, and both players are prepared to meet the challenge head-on.