West Ham x World Cup Preview: Declan Rice Headlines Hammers Core in Qatar
For the first time in the club’s 127-year history, West Ham will send five players to the World Cup.
It’s an unprecedented achievement that reflects an uncomfortable truth about the Gold-Sullivan-Brady Era. While there are many reasons to be concerned about the team’s form under David Moyes, the Hammers have been on the rise for a while.
Declan Rice is the clearest example of West Ham’s recent success. If not for the club’s steady development, he would have been poached shortly after his impressive first-team debut. Instead, he seized Mark Noble’s armband and remains a crucial member of the squad.
Of course, the Hammers have had excellent footballers before – not least in 1966 – but it feels different this time around. West Ham’s weekly attendance outstrips that of Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain. It has for a while.
Stratford will never be Upton Park. But the London Stadium has set the scene for historic moments of its own – that win over Sevilla, for example.
Why raise those points? Because we’ve had plenty to be unhappy with lately, and the World Cup – despite its multiverse of flaws – will offer some respite from Moyes-ball. In other words, this Substack will spend the next few weeks with more than half-an-eye on international football.
As an entrée, here are the five, or six – if you count loaned-out Nikola Vlasic, players to watch from West Ham at the World Cup.
Declan Rice, England
Rice arrives in Qatar as one of England’s most valuable players. He starred at the European Championship and has since solidified his place in the squad under Gareth Southgate. Unless injuries strike, the 23-year-old will partner Jude Bellingham in central midfield and be expected to shield England’s back three from undue pressure.
Rice, who has been West Ham’s best player by a mile this term, has the defensive aptitude, box-to-box endurance, and technical skill to make the difference for the Three Lions in Group B and beyond. He is the real deal.
- Monday, 21 November: England vs Iran – 13:00 (BBC)
- Friday, 25 November: England vs USA – 19:00 (ITV)
- Tuesday, 29 November: Wales vs England – 19:00 (BBC)
Lucas Paquetá, Brazil
Lucas Paquetá will prove his quality at the World Cup. He hasn’t clicked in East London (yet) but retains his place in the Brazilian midfield thanks to his impressive performances at the international level.
Unlike with West Ham, the 25-year-old will slot into his favoured position – deep-lying midfield – and spray passes across the pitch from whistle to whistle. He will also benefit from Brazil’s attack-first mentality and the ridiculous amount of quality that surrounds him.
Paquetá travels to Qatar low on confidence after a mediocre run with West Ham. If he performs well for Brazil, it could kickstart his season.
- Thursday, 24 November: Brazil vs Serbia – 19:00 (BBC)
- Monday, 28 November: Brazil vs Switzerland – 16:00 (ITV)
- Friday, 2 December: Cameroon vs Brazil – 19:00 (ITV)
Thilo Kehrer, Germany
Despite his error-prone start to life in claret and blue, Thilo Kehrer approaches the World Cup as Germany’s first-choice right-back. He was a solid performer in the Nations League for Hansi Flick and keeps his spot in the team as a result.
Kehrer, unlike his club teammates, has been drawn into a difficult pot and will face stern tests from Spain and Japan in his first two matches of the tournament. It remains to be seen how the out-of-form 26-year-old will fare under the spotlight.
- Wednesday, 23 November: Germany vs Japan – 13:00 (ITV)
- Saturday, 27 November: Spain vs Germany – 19:00 (BBC)
- Thursday, 1 December: Costa Rica vs Germany – 19:00 (ITV)
Nayef Aguerd, Morocco
Nayef Aguerd’s preseason injury is an overlooked factor in West Ham’s poor start. His transfer was meant to transform how the team defended, with Moyes attracted to the 26-year-old’s sneaky rapidness and defensive smarts.
Aguerd is still someway short of full fitness but travels to Qatar as a core member of Morocco’s squad anyway. He will join Archraf Hakimi, Romain Saiss and Noussair Mazraoui in a formidable back four that could – if bounces fall their way – backstop the Atlas Lions into the knockout rounds. If he stays healthy, the World Cup will help him make a fast start when the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day.
- Wednesday, 23 November: Morocco vs Croatia – 10:00 (ITV)
- Saturday, 27 November: Belgium vs Morocco – 13:00 (BBC)
- Thursday, 1 December: Canada vs Morocco – 15:00 (BBC)
Alphonse Areola, France
Alphonse Areola probably won’t see much of the pitch in Qatar, but has proven he can make an impact from the bench when called upon under Moyes.
If injury or suspension forces captain Hugo Lloris out of France’s matchday squad, the 29-year-old will be the next ‘keeper up for Diddier Deschamps.
- Tuesday, 22 November: France vs Australia – 19:00 (BBC)
- Saturday, 26 November: France vs Denmark – 16:00 (ITV)
- Tuesday, 30 November: Tunisia vs France – 15:00 (BBC)