West Ham United ended pre-season unbeaten, but their 1-1 draw with 1. FC Magdeburg left several questions unanswered before competitive football begins.
The West Ham pre-season problems remain concentrated in attack, despite encouraging performances from Maximilian Kilman and Lewis Orford in Germany.
Kilman gave Nuno Espírito Santo’s side the lead after 21 minutes with an excellent volley from Orford’s corner. However, Falko Michel equalised in the 90th minute after Magdeburg had created several chances during the second half.
ReadWestHam covered the full contest in our FC Magdeburg 1-1 West Ham match report. With Portsmouth visiting the London Stadium in the Carabao Cup on 8 August, Nuno does not have long to find solutions.
Kilman looks ready to lead West Ham defence
Kilman was arguably West Ham’s strongest senior performer in Germany.
His goal was superbly taken, but his defensive work was equally encouraging. The 29-year-old looked composed when Magdeburg increased the pressure and also showed his passing range when stepping forward from defence.
That should encourage Nuno after a summer of considerable squad change. West Ham will need experienced players to set the standard during a Championship campaign where they will often enter games as favourites.
Orford also strengthened his case alongside him. The academy midfielder completed 90 minutes and supplied the corner for Kilman’s goal, with ReadWestHam covering his subsequent message about helping West Ham return to the Premier League.
West Ham pre-season problems remain in attack
The larger concern was what happened ahead of them.
Jarrod Bowen remains West Ham’s most reliable attacking threat, but Nuno’s forward line lacked consistent speed and creativity around him. Taty Castellanos worked hard through the middle, while Keiber Lamadrid was used from the left after previously spending much of pre-season centrally.
There were promising individual moments without enough sustained threat. West Ham too often moved the ball slowly, which allowed Magdeburg time to recover their defensive shape.
The club appear aware that more attacking quality is required. ReadWestHam reported on Saturday that West Ham are considering a move for Middlesbrough attacker Morgan Whittaker, who can provide goals and creativity across several attacking positions.
After selling Crysencio Summerville, another player capable of carrying the ball at pace from wide areas would also give Nuno greater variety.
Nuno still needs more midfield creativity
Orford impressed, but one good individual performance does not completely solve West Ham’s midfield question.
The Hammers need someone capable of receiving possession under pressure and progressing the ball quickly into attacking areas. That issue has surfaced throughout pre-season and becomes more important when opponents defend deeply against them.
West Ham are already working on potential solutions. Talks have progressed over Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, with ReadWestHam reporting that the Hammers have stepped up their pursuit of the £25m-rated midfielder.
Nuno does not need to discard everything he has built this summer. West Ham finished pre-season without defeat and several academy players have emerged as genuine options.
However, the West Ham pre-season problems have not disappeared either. More pace, creativity and greater control when protecting a lead would leave the squad considerably better prepared for Portsmouth and the Championship campaign that follows.
