Given fans’ primary contention with David Moyes was his style of football, West Ham United’s decision to hire Julen Lopetegui was never entirely welcomed by them.
Before the season began, The Athletic pointed out their biggest problem was in midfield, where they struggled to create opportunities and win duels. West Ham’s response was to sign Guido Rodriguez (free transfer) and Carlos Soler (on loan), and neither have helped those issues.
Lopetegui’s style was never going to translate into flamboyant attacking play. West Ham are on course to score fewer than their 52 league goals last season (24 after 20 games) — alongside conceding the same number: 74 last season vs 39 so far this.
However, the current problems precede Lopetegui’s reign.
Barring a good stretch midway through 2022-23, West Ham have routinely given opponents more chances than they’ve created for themselves, as the graph above illustrates.
To make matters worse, their shot-to-goal conversion rate has fallen from 34 per cent in 2023-24 to 29 in 2024-25. Their big-chance conversion rate has dropped further, from 43 per cent to 33.
Under Lopetegui, West Ham have averaged more possession than last season (47 per cent vs 41) but conceded a similar number of chances and face the same problems in midfield.
Add an inefficiency in attack to those issues and it’s safe to assume most managers’ jobs would be on the line.
