As Julen Lopetegui begins his transformative journey at West Ham United, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of his squad will be crucial for success.

The previous season, 2023/24, under David Moyes, fell short of expectations, leaving room for speculation about the morale and commitment of some key players within the team. Given the lackluster performance, it is reasonable to assume that a few first-team stars may feel disheartened about their future at the club. The new manager faces the challenging task of evaluating who should be part of his ideal starting eleven and which players will remain on the bench. If certain individuals find themselves excluded from matchday squads, it will be a necessary part of the rebuilding process.

Potential Summer Transfers: West Ham Midfielder Flynn Downes Faces Uncertain Future

In addition to the players who may be considered expendable, some athletes might be categorized as too talented to sell yet currently underperforming. In such cases, a loan option could be on the table to benefit both the player and the club. This was exemplified by West Ham’s talented 25-year-old midfielder, Flynn Downes. Despite being part of the squad that achieved a historic victory in the Europa Conference League two seasons ago, marking the club’s first major trophy in over four decades, Downes found himself loaned out to Southampton for the entirety of the 2023/24 season.

During his loan spell, Downes was instrumental in assisting Southampton achieve promotion back to the Premier League by securing a narrow 1-0 victory in the Play-Off final at Wembley. His consistent performances have highlighted his value as a key member of the squad. The decision to loan him out may haunt West Ham, especially as reports from the Daily Echo suggest that the South Coast club is now keen to secure Downes on a permanent deal.

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Having participated in 37 matches, most of which he played the full 90 minutes (as noted by WhoScored), it is clear that Downes has solidified his status as a crucial player in Russell Martin’s squad. This level of trust from the manager undoubtedly resonates with Downes, and if he feels unwanted at West Ham—particularly with a new management team trying to establish their vision—a transfer to Southampton could provide a fresh start and a pivotal next step in his career.