Julen Lopetegui to sell five West Ham first-XI stars immediately – expert
Julen Lopetegui will look to sell five West Ham players immediately after taking over from David Moyes at West Ham, including captain Kurt Zouma.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Frank McAvennie insisted that Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and Konstantinos Mavropanos should be first to go.
The former Hammers striker went on to share that players on the fringe of the squad would be among those sold.
It was said that the new boss should concentrate on improving the back four, with “two or three” arrivals needed.
This comes after Football Insider reported that Lopetegui will be working with a “huge” budget with a new centre-back a priority.
Julen Lopetegui expected to axe five West Ham first-team players
McAvennie’s claim that both of the club’s current central defenders should be sold is a bold one, but the defensive issues have become clear in recent weeks.
Football Insider recently shared that Lopetegui would be looking to bring up to six new signings, so five exits may be necessary to clear space.
“Zouma, Ogbonna and all of them. I would let them all go, and the Greek boy,” he told Football Insider.
“I’d let the three of them go, go and play football somewhere else, and get two or three good ones in.
“There must be some decent centre-halves coming through from within. See what happens.
“It’s the back four I’d concentrate on. We’re defending so much because the midfield has to come back and defend. They shouldn’t be back defending.
“I think there will be about five players. If he [Lopetegui] comes in, he’ll want five first-XI players out right away.
“There’s players in the dressing room not getting a game.”
In other news, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus transfer fees will go straight into a war chest.
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