West Ham news continues to move quickly after Nuno Espírito Santo’s side opened their competitive season with a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth at the London Stadium.
Taty Castellanos strengthened his position with two goals, Lewis Orford earned praise after another senior opportunity and West Ham have been installed among the overwhelming favourites for Championship promotion.
Here are the latest developments around the Hammers.
West Ham news: Taty Castellanos gives Nuno a major decision
Castellanos could hardly have started the season any better.
The Argentine scored twice as West Ham recovered from falling behind against Portsmouth, with Jarrod Bowen also finding the net before half-time.
ReadWestHam’s match report details how Castellanos helped turn the Carabao Cup tie around.
His performance arrives against an interesting transfer backdrop.
Reports in late July claimed Castellanos had informed West Ham of his desire to leave following relegation. West Ham World reported that the striker’s representatives had made his position clear.
West Ham have since continued to look at attacking options, including Troy Parrott and Wilson Isidor.
Yet Castellanos provided Nuno with a timely reminder of his value on Saturday.
Selling a striker capable of producing goals at Championship level would carry obvious risk, particularly when West Ham are targeting an immediate return to the Premier League.
Lewis Orford earns praise after Portsmouth opportunity
There was another encouraging development further down Nuno’s squad.
Young midfielder Lewis Orford was handed an opportunity against Portsmouth and produced a composed performance during West Ham’s victory.
The Guardian highlighted Orford among the positives from the Hammers’ opening competitive match.
The academy graduate has been involved throughout pre-season and is competing for a more established first-team role following West Ham’s relegation.
ReadWestHam also picked out several academy players who could benefit from the Championship campaign.
Orford now has another positive senior appearance behind him.
With a long league season ahead, Nuno will need depth. West Ham’s academy could provide some of it without requiring another expensive trip into the transfer market.
West Ham backed to win the Championship
Expectations around the London Stadium remain high despite the upheaval of relegation.
talkSPORT has predicted West Ham to finish top of the Championship, ahead of fellow relegated sides Wolves and Burnley.
Their 2026/27 Championship forecast places the Hammers first, with Jarrod Bowen’s decision to remain at the club one of the major reasons for optimism.
Saturday offered some early evidence to support that confidence.
West Ham did not have everything their own way against Portsmouth, but they responded well after conceding and eventually took control.
The real examination begins against Burnley in the Championship next weekend.
For now, Nuno has an opening victory, Castellanos has two goals and another academy prospect has strengthened his claim for further opportunities.
