West Ham United Women have handed four summer signings competitive debuts in Rita Guarino’s starting XI for Sunday’s Women’s Super League opener against Tottenham Hotspur.
Constance Picaud-Inconnue, Laia Codina, Nadine Riesen and Ebony Salmon all start at BetWright Stadium, while new captain Katie Zelem leads the side. Deadline Day arrival Saki Kumagai begins on the bench.
West Ham’s official starting XI confirms Guarino has immediately placed significant trust in the squad assembled during an extensive summer rebuild.
Four West Ham signings start against Tottenham
Picaud-Inconnue starts in goal, with Endo, Codina, Estelle Cascarino and Riesen making up West Ham’s defensive options.
Zelem captains the side alongside Oona Siren and Seraina Piubel in midfield, while Salmon joins Riko Ueki and Viviane Asseyi among the attacking options.
The inclusion of Zelem comes only a day after West Ham confirmed the experienced midfielder as their new captain. The former Manchester United skipper initially joined on loan last season before completing a permanent move this summer.
Guarino’s selection provides the first real indication of how she intends to use a squad transformed by ten permanent summer additions.
Perhaps the biggest call comes on the bench.
World Cup winner Kumagai, who became West Ham’s tenth summer signing on Deadline Day, is among the substitutes rather than being thrown immediately into the starting XI.
Kelly Gago, Inès Belloumou, Manon Nystrom, Sienna Wareing and Niamh Peacock also provide Guarino with options from the bench.
West Ham spent the summer dramatically strengthening after finishing tenth last season, with our analysis of how the new arrivals transformed Guarino’s squad highlighting the increased depth now available to the Italian.
Sunday is the first opportunity to see whether that investment translates into results.
West Ham XI: Picaud-Inconnue; Endo, Codina, Cascarino, Riesen; Zelem (c), Siren, Piubel; Salmon, Ueki, Asseyi.
Subs: Walsh, Belloumou, Kumagai, Gago, Nystrom, Tenerbo, Wareing, Peacock, Vandeler.
