West Ham United kicked off their 2026/27 pre-season campaign with a 3-2 behind-closed-doors win over Colchester at Rush Green on 19 July. The result set the tone for today’s clash with Southend XI at Roots Hall, where Nuno Espírito Santo rolled out a competitive starting line-up featuring Jarrod Bowen and Taty Castellanos.
Who started for West Ham United against Southend XI?
Bowen led the attack alongside Castellanos and Dinos Mavropanos, while Pablo Felipe also featured from the start. The bench mixed academy talent with fringe first-teamers, including uncapped youngsters Josh Ajala, Preston Fearon and Airidas Golambeckis. Crysencio Summerville sat out after a long post-World Cup break, though his departure before the September window remains on the cards.
Why did Nuno leave out Fullkrug and Cornet?
Espírito Santo’s omission of Niclas Fullkrug and Maxwel Cornet-both scorers against Colchester-hints at a rotation plan. Jean-Clair Todibo’s absence reinforced the manager’s intent to blood new faces, with George Earthy and Mohamadou Kanté paired in midfield to stake claims in the Championship.
What’s next for the Hammers?
A stand-out display from Keiber Lamadrid on the left flank could force his way into first-team plans before Summerville’s potential exit. The Venezuelan’s reputation hangs on today’s showing, with Espírito Santo keen to tighten his squad ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser against Brighton on 16 August.
