Green Street Hammers
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We read into the West Ham preseason roster and what it means

By Jeremiah Carson

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Manuel Pellegrini (R) manager of West Ham United, assistant Ruben Cousillas (C) and 2nd assistant coach Enzo Maresca during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and West Ham United at John Smith's Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Manuel Pellegrini (R) manager of West Ham United, assistant Ruben Cousillas (C) and 2nd assistant coach Enzo Maresca during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and West Ham United at John Smith's Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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Yesterday West Ham United announced who would be going to China for the preseason tournament in the following week. What does that roster tell us and do we think there might be any snubs?

First and foremost, according to football.london, West Ham have two open slots to make it a 25 man roster that goes to China. Most notably the players that are missing from the 23 are Reece Oxford, Jordan Hugill, Nathan Holland, and Sam Byram. I would imagine that either the top brass have 2 of these players in mind or there is a transfer coming though in the next few days.

Another exciting prospect is the roster itself. Just a few years ago when West Ham played in the United States for preseason, the roster looked bleak and underwhelming. However, this roster looks years better and like Pellegrini wants to push his squad to the max.

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Out of the main starters from this past season, only Masuaku and Balbuena aren’t invited and only due to them still not returning from international duty. With names like Fabianski, Rice, Diop, Anderson, Lanzini, and Fornals on it shows the Gaffers intent and that has to boost confidence in a fan base that once didn’t trust the back office.

As I previously talked about in a GSH article, this preseason for Cullen and Oxford will be huge. Cullen will have the opportunity to shine not only in today’s match but while in China and once the club get back to London. Oxford on the other hand might not. Unless he gets one of the remaining slots, we might never see him again in claret and blue.

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This season coming up feeling like the biggest that we’ve seen in a while as West ham fans (to include the two Europa seasons) and the Gaffers preseason mindset only helps solidify it. Make sure you tune in later today to watch the match as it will air at 11:30 EST on ESPN 3 here in American and with other live streams popping up around the world.