---
title: "West Ham predicted XI vs Charlton: £34m pair handed debuts"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/08/20/west-ham-predicted-xi-vs-charlton-34m-pair-handed-debuts/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2026-08-20T09:30:00Z"
modified: "2026-08-20T09:30:00Z"
---

# West Ham predicted XI vs Charlton: £34m pair handed debuts

**West Ham United could hand Joel Piroe and Arne Engels their debuts against Charlton Athletic as Nuno Espírito Santo makes changes for his first home Championship match of the season.**

The Hammers return to London Stadium on Saturday after surrendering a two-goal lead in their 2-2 opening-day draw at Burnley.

Nuno has since gained another major attacking option after [West Ham officially completed the signing of Joel Piroe](https://readwestham.com/2026/08/19/west-ham-officially-sign-joel-piroe-as-12m-promotion-deal-revealed/), while Engels is also in line for his first appearance following his £22million arrival from Celtic.

> 🚨⚒️ So from what ive seen and read West ham plan for Engels and New imminent Signing Joel Piroe to make their Debuts vs Charlton and there is also another player we aim to get in for Saturday that hasn't been Revealed yet. [#WHUFC](https://x.com/hashtag/WHUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/Qdke5RsxSF](https://t.co/Qdke5RsxSF)
>
> — Ryan 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚒️ (@RyanTlksFooty) [August 18, 2026](https://x.com/RyanTlksFooty/status/2089779074587615739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Here is our predicted West Ham XI against Charlton.

## West Ham predicted XI vs Charlton

**GK: Mads Hermansen**

Hermansen should retain his place after starting at Turf Moor.

**RB: Kyle Walker-Peters**

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is heading towards Aston Villa, but Walker-Peters had already established himself as Nuno’s starting right-back against Burnley.

**CB: Konstantinos Mavropanos**

Mavropanos should continue on the right side of the central defensive partnership.

**CB: Maximilian Kilman**

Kilman scored West Ham’s opener at Burnley and remains one of Nuno’s senior defensive options.

**LB: Ollie Scarles**

Scarles started ahead of El Hadji Malick Diouf last weekend. With [Brentford closing in on a deal worth around £40m for Diouf](https://readwestham.com/2026/08/18/west-ham-close-to-40m-malick-diouf-sale-as-brentford-agreement-nears/), another start for the academy graduate would make sense if that transfer continues progressing.

**RM: Jarrod Bowen**

The captain remains an automatic selection. West Ham will hope to get Bowen into more dangerous positions after creating only two shots on target at Burnley.

**CM: Arne Engels**

This should be the big change.

[Engels missed the Burnley game because his registration was not completed in time](https://readwestham.com/2026/08/18/efl-championship-record-signing-set-for-west-ham-debut-on-saturday/), but the £22m midfielder is expected to be available for Charlton.

Nuno did not break the Championship transfer record for Engels to remain outside the side for long.

**CM: Mohamadou Kanté**

Lewis Orford is the unfortunate player to drop out in this prediction.

Kanté strengthened his claim against Burnley by carrying the ball forward and providing the cross for Manor Solomon’s goal. Pairing his mobility with Engels’ greater control in possession could give Nuno a more balanced midfield.

**LM: Manor Solomon**

Solomon scored on his Championship debut and should keep his place on the left.

## Joel Piroe could make immediate West Ham debut

**ST: Joel Piroe**

Piroe is the second debut we are predicting.

West Ham confirmed his arrival from Leeds on Wednesday on an initial loan containing an obligation to buy if the Hammers achieve promotion.

The 27-year-old scored 19 Championship goals during Leeds’ 2024/25 promotion campaign, giving Nuno a proven option at this level.

His arrival has also come at an ideal time because [Pablo Felipe is doubtful for the Charlton match with a calf injury](https://readwestham.com/2026/08/18/west-ham-hit-by-fresh-pablo-injury-blow-before-charlton-clash/).

**ST: Taty Castellanos**

Castellanos struggled to impose himself consistently at Burnley, but dropping him immediately would be a surprise.

Playing alongside Piroe could also suit the Argentine better than asking him to carry the attacking burden himself.

That would leave Nuno with two major changes from Turf Moor: Engels replacing Orford and Piroe replacing the injured Pablo.

**Predicted West Ham XI:** Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Bowen, Engels, Kanté, Solomon; Piroe, Castellanos.