---
title: "Opinion: Lesser-seen West Ham ace should start in UEL clash"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/03/10/opinion-lesser-seen-west-ham-ace-should-start-in-uel-clash/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-03-10T13:00:00Z"
modified: "2022-03-10T13:00:00Z"
---

# Opinion: Lesser-seen West Ham ace should start in UEL clash

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2022/03/10/virals-west-ham-have-initiated-contact-to-sign-gerard-deulofeu/) manager David Moyes has a selection headache ahead of the Europa League meeting with Sevilla.

The Hammers are in Spain for their [first-leg clash](https://www.whufc.com/fixture/list/713) at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium and will be looking to get a positive result.

However, Moyes is likely to be without talismanic forward Jarrod Bowen after the 25-year-old [limped off](https://twitter.com/WestHam/status/1500515161001664520) with a heel problem against Liverpool.

> We can confirm a scan has shown that Jarrod Bowen suffered no significant damage following the injury he picked up at Liverpool on Saturday evening.
>
> — West Ham United (@WestHam) [March 6, 2022](https://twitter.com/WestHam/status/1500515161001664520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Midfield ace Declan Rice is expected to be fit for the clash having [trained this week](https://twitter.com/WestHam/status/1501586988876636163) following the missed trip to Anfield due to illness.

> Our final training session at Rush Green before we fly out to Spain! 👊 [pic.twitter.com/k8UcL3ruwD](https://t.co/k8UcL3ruwD)
>
> — West Ham United (@WestHam) [March 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/WestHam/status/1501586988876636163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

One option to replace Bowen, Ukraine international forward Andriy Yarmolenko has not travelled as the club continue to give the 32-year-old [compassionate leave](https://www.whufc.com/brightcove_video/5159).

Here’s how we think West Ham will lineup…

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

**Predicted XI**: Alphonse Areola; Ben Johnson, Craig Dawson, Kurt Zouma, Aaron Cresswell; Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek; Nikola Vlasic, Lanzini, Fornals; Michail Antonio.

**Predicted Subs**: Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop, Ryan Fredericks, Said Benrahma, Alex Kral, Mark Noble, Arthur Masuaku, Daniel Chesters, Armstrong Okoflex.

Despite playing [34 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/said-benrahma/leistungsdaten/spieler/290532) this season, Said Benrahma has been utilised from the bench more often than not in recent weeks.

Moyes has instead turned to Nikola Vlasic and will likely do so once again as the [£24.3million valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nikola-vlasic/marktwertverlauf/spieler/293200) Croatian continues to adapt to life as a West Ham player.

With just [three-goal contributions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nikola-vlasic/leistungsdaten/spieler/293200) in 26 appearances so far in 2021/22, the ace will be desperate to repay some faith here.