West Ham United

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Southampton have rejected West Ham's opening offer, worth £30m plus add-ons, for 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

A couple of months ago, there was a lot of concern throughout the West Ham fanbase that the coming season could end up being a catastrophe.

Rumours of the club needing to sell before they could buy, talk of several players wanting out and Graham Potter still having so much pressure on him to achieve David Moyes-level success at London Stadium.

It was not just West Ham fans fearing the worst either. Neutrals and pundits alike were all expressing their fears of another relegation battle.

But fast forward to the present day and things are a little - albeit only a little - more positive.

We have only lost one pre-season match and overall the performances from Potter's side have been positive enough. Not perfect by any means, but there have been enough positives to suggest things might not be as drastic as first feared.

One of the main reasons for that is the very obvious team ethic on display within the squad.

West Ham's social media activity over the summer has displayed a group of players who clearly enjoy each other's company, get on extremely well and really want to play for the badge. That is a solid foundation for something better than we got last season.

Yes, there is still a lot of work to be done in the transfer window. Another central midfielder is a must, as is a younger, more prolific striker to assist the ageing duo of Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson.

But fears of a relegation battle have mostly been transformed into cautious optimism that maybe, just maybe, Potter can oversee something of a more solid season in east London. One that does not involve fears of the drop or a run of unacceptable performances.

By no means are we even thinking about a return to the top seven just yet, but there are signs we might actually be heading in the right direction again.

As always, patience and time will be required, but I really do think Potter might be on to something right now.

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

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West Ham are preparing a bid for Southampton and Portugal Under-21s midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who is valued at £30m. (Guardian), external

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Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether West Ham are ready for the new season as they prepare to kick off at Sunderland on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Michael: We still need two more better midfielders. But we could do with offloading a couple, perhaps three, of the current midfield that aren't good enough, like Cornet, Rodriguez and Ward-Prowse. None of them offer us anything in the modern game. Need pace and ability to run with the ball.

Bob: The most positive thing I have seen in the pre-season games is the attitude. Unlike last season, they all seem happy. If they're happy with each other then they will want to work for each other.

Mike: No, we're nowhere near ready. Graham Potter has a mountain to climb and to achieve survival we need to totally revamp our midfield. They are way too pedestrian, have no real ball-player and lack goals everywhere. We need to trust our youth players, particularly Potts, Scales and Pearson, who all look like they would belong in the Premier League. That will add energy and pace. If we don't do something then we're in for another woefully poor season.

Rich: Ever the optimist, I think they are, despite not making a huge splash in the transfer market. The vibe in the camp feels good and I'm expecting a 'Paquetenaissance' now he's free from scandal. Some of last year's 'busts' may yet be vindicated in Guilherme, Summerville, and Fullkrug (who by the way seems like quite the leader).

Luke: As much as I want to be optimistic, I can't shake the feeling that West Ham just aren't quite ready for the season ahead. The glaring hole in midfield, with no significant signing to plug it, leaves us worryingly light in the engine room. Potter's preference for slow, patient build-up play has its merits, but too often risks leaving us looking toothless in the final third. There are positives, though - the big question mark over Paqueta's future seems to be leaning our way for now, the defence looks more organised than it has in years, and the emergence of Freddie Potts and Malick Diouf brings a real spark of excitement. Still, with the current squad and style, my head says we're more likely to finish somewhere between 12th and 16th, even if my heart hopes otherwise.

Mathew: All summer we have been calling out for a midfield powerhouse, but seemed to get everything but that. Rodriguez and Alvarez are players of the past and should no longer be featuring in games. And still, many years have passed, but a young striker has not been signed, to my dismay.

Pre-season is completed and the countdown to the 2025-26 season is on.

It's been a busy summer at West Ham with the departure of four long-serving players and Mohammed Kudus joining Tottenham.

The Hammers start the season at Sunderland on Saturday - but are they ready?

Get in touch

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham defeated Ligue 1 side Lille on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their final pre-season campaign on Saturday.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for his new club with a fine touch and finish in first-half injury time but Niclas Fullkrug levelled late on when he slotted home from a Tomas Soucek cutback.

Despite the Germany striker missing his penalty in the resulting shootout, goalkeeper Alfonse Areola saved two spotkicks to give the Hammers victory.

Image source, Getty Images

Mads Hermansen says he believes West Ham are a "good fit" for his style of play after his move from Leicester was confirmed on Saturday.

The 25-year-old has signed a five-year contract at London Stadium with a one-year option after departing the Foxes following their relegation to the Championship.

"I'm happy to join West Ham United," he said. "I've felt that West Ham would be a good fit for me and my style of play for a long time.

It feels natural to be here - it was a very easy decision.

"I've heard a lot of great things about the club. I played West Ham twice last season and playing at London Stadium was a great experience. It's an amazing stadium with loud, passionate fans.

"It's what you dream of as a footballer and I can't wait to play in front of 62,500 fans as a West Ham player."

Hermansen played 27 times in the Premier League for Leicester last season and impressed despite the club's difficult campaign ending in relegation.

"The fans can expect me to be brave and bring good energy to help the team in the best way I can," he added.

"This is a great step in my career. I have huge ambitions and I can't wait to get started."

You have been sharing your stories and photos about why you love West Ham.

Here is a final selection of your submissions, but do make sure you scroll down this page to see all the best responses from throughout the week:

John: I watched the 1980 cup final on my grandma's black and white TV. She persuaded me to cheer for the underdog as my dad was an Arsenal fan. West Ham won, and I was a Hammer forever. My dad still swears that Trevor Brooking was bending over to do up his boot laces when he headed in the winner.

Frank: I remember standing on a milk crate with my dad - I think we won a corner and Moore was picking up the ball right in front of me. I was maybe seven years old but I remember it still vividly thinking: "Wow, that's Bobby!" Hurst was still playing for us and Peters was on the pitch (playing for Spurs). I think Pop Robson was playing as well because I recall asking my dad why he was called Pop! Happy memories.

We asked for your views on whether Mads Hermansen is a good choice to be West Ham's new number one or whether you would have preferred another option.

Here are some of your comments:

James: A new keeper is a high priority and finding one with Premier League experience is even more important. It should prove a good challenge between him and Areola for the starting spot.

Geoff: Typical West Ham - go for an adequate, rather than an excellent player. Shows ownership are happy to keep making money with no real ambition for trophies.

Simon: An excellent choice and just the sort of young player, with an excellent record at Leicester, that we should be buying and building the future team around.

Shahid: Only time will tell. It seems in recent times if we are lucky we get one or two seasons where the keeper plays well and then deteriorates drastically.

Mike: Good news. A fairly reliable goalkeeper at about the right age for experience and one who did well in a team that weren't that great defensively. Unfortunately recently, Areola hasn't been up to the form he had when we first got him so Mads should be an upgrade.

Martin: Will be an excellent signing. Areola is a decent shot stopper, but struggles in other areas, especially playing out from the back. A couple of mistakes with that and his confidence looks shot, so Mads to go straight in as number one for me and will definitely help to improve our defence this season.

Mike: I'm all for improving the team but can't help feeling sorry for Areola. One of the best shot stoppers in the league and because he isn't a natural ball player, he's going to get side-lined. I know I'm old fashioned but I like my goalkeepers to be good at preventing goals. Then give the ball to an outfield player to move the ball forward.

Ashley: We know that Potter wants to use a goalkeeper in build-up. It creates an extra passing option to eradicate a man-to-man high press. However, Areola, for all his shot stopping qualities, has shown that neither his long or short passing is up to scratch. Therefore, after spending the first month on the bench, I expect Hermansen to quickly take over as first choice and to stay there for the season.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have agreed a fee of about 20m with Leicester City for Denmark goalkeeper Mads Hermansen - and we want your views.

Personal terms not expected to be an issue with the 25-year-old seen as a good fit for Graham Potter's style. Hermansen impressed last season despite the Foxes' relegation from the Premier League.

The Hammers are in the market for another goalkeeper after Lukasz Fabianski left at the end of last season and have Casper Ankergren, who worked with Hermansen at Brondby, as their goalkeeping coach.

They have also been interested in Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor.

So, what do you think? Is Hermansen a good choice to be West Ham's new number one or would you have preferred another option?

Let us know here

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos about why you fell in love with West Ham.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Jim: My dad used to take me to matches as a child. In the late 1980s he was sometimes busy so his friend, Alan, used his ticket and took me. Alan was a sensible man and we left early to beat the traffic. Walking away from the ground we heard mayhem as George Parris scored a late, late winner against Watford. I have never left a game early since - or gone to another match with Alan!

Send us your pictures and stories here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the departure of Michail Antonio after a decade at West Ham and if you see him returning for a role behind the scenes in the future.

Here are some of your comments:

Barry: It's a shame to see him go but it's not unexpected. He looks to have done a great job to get back on the pitch, which shows the determination he has. When he was at his best, he was at times unplayable. His strength and pace caused many centre-back nightmares. Good luck and thanks for some great memories.

Rebecca: It's just really sad that fans couldn't properly say goodbye to such an important and loved player. So many good memories and no chance to celebrate that!

Colin: He has been a great asset to us and is highly popular, but now is the right time to bid farewell as we need young fresh blood in the team. He knows he will always be welcomed back as a non-player.

Mandy: I'm absolutely gutted that they have let him go. He has been a great player for us and he has played in many different positions when we needed him to. Pleased the club will continue to support him and I hope he comes back behind the scenes one day.

Len: I think it would be great for Antonio to stay at the club as an academy team member and motivate some of the younger players who can look up to him.

Anastasia: Very sad way for him to leave the club after all this time and he deserved a much better send off. We'll always be so grateful for everything he has done for the club.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have confirmed Michail Antonio has left the club upon the expiry of his contract.

The 35-year-old striker is the Hammers' leading Premier League goalscorer, and scored 83 goals from 323 appearances in all competitions during a decade in east London.

The club say they will continue "to support and assist him in his ongoing rehabilitation" following his road traffic accident in December 2024 and "dialogue continues over his future involvement with the club in an alternative capacity."

How do you feel?

Was it expected given his injury and the signing of Callum Wilson?

Would you like to see Antonio return to the club in the future behind the scenes?

Get in touch here

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Danielle Sarver Coombs

When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.

In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.

And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.

"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.

"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.

"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.

"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.

"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."

A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.

But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.

"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.

"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."

As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?

"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.

"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.

"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."

Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.

And check out those from other Premier League teams over here

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with West Ham.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Keith: I was in Balaam Street hospital having my tonsils out when they won the cup in 1964. I woke up from the anaesthetic to see it was in telly but couldn't keep awake. Next day the open top bus passed right by the hospital. Me and some other children were waving flags from the first floor window. The bus stopped and Bobby Moore and Ken Brown held the cup up towards us.

Send us your pictures and stories here

Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10,000 times.

Image source, Opta

After only happening once in Premier League history beforehand, and not since 1997-98, all three promoted teams have gone straight back down in each of the past two seasons.

Unsurprisingly then, Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland are ranked as the likeliest trio to be relegated by the Supercomputer's model next year - with the Black Cats the only team notto win the title in any of the supercomputer's 10,000 simulations.

Championship play-off winners Sunderland are also relegated the most often of all 20 teams, going down in 66.4% of simulations.

Their fellow Premier League newboys are actually deemed to survive slightly more often than not, with Daniel Farke's side going down in 48.1% of sims, while Scott Parker's Clarets doing so in 45.9%.

As for Wolves, they had a dismal start to last season but improved significantly once Vitor Pereira arrived. Losing Matheus Cunha is a big blow however, and the Old Gold are fourth favourites to go down according to the supercomputer - doing so in 26.4% of sims.

Similarly, Graham Potter's West Ham have sold a key player this summer after Mohammed Kudus switched to Tottenham.

Potter will back himself to get a better tune out of his side after his first pre-season with them, but West Ham are still relegated in 22% of simulations.

Read Opta's full Supercomputer breakdown here, external

West Ham remain interested in Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey, 24, with the English midfielder yet to make a decision on his long-term future. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport