Edson Álvarez has been handed an immediate start as West Ham vs Portsmouth gets the Hammers’ competitive season underway in the Carabao Cup. Nuno Espírito Santo has also selected Lewis Orford, while new signing Joël Veltman begins on the bench at the London Stadium.
West Ham have now confirmed their starting XI to face Portsmouth, with Álvarez’s inclusion the standout decision.
Mads Hermansen keeps his place in goal ahead of Alphonse Areola. Kyle Walker-Peters, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman and Ollie Scarles make up the back four.
Mohamadou Kanté starts alongside Álvarez, while Orford is rewarded following an impressive pre-season. Jarrod Bowen also starts, with Valentín Castellanos and Pablo Felipe selected in attack.
West Ham vs Portsmouth XI confirmed
West Ham XI: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Bowen, Kanté, Álvarez, Orford; Castellanos, Pablo.
Substitutes: Areola, Veltman, Diouf, Casey, Mayers, Golambeckis, Ward-Prowse, Earthy, Ajala.
Álvarez’s return is particularly notable after spending last season on loan at Fenerbahçe. Reports this week suggested the Mexico international is now set to remain at West Ham despite speculation over another move away.
Orford’s inclusion also follows through on Nuno’s promise to provide competitive opportunities to his academy players. ReadWestHam’s predicted XI against Portsmouth highlighted Orford as one of the youngsters pushing for a start after his encouraging summer.
There is no immediate debut for Veltman following his free transfer, although the former Brighton defender could make his first appearance from the bench.
Nuno has ultimately gone stronger than might have been expected for the first-round tie. With Bowen, Castellanos and several likely Championship starters involved, West Ham have a side capable of immediately setting the tone for the new campaign.
