West Ham lineup with Scott McTominay shows why Julen Lopetegui wants transfer

In case you missed it, the latest player to be linked with West Ham is Scott McTominay. While the transfer fee of £35 million may be a bit high for the Hammers, the player's Premier League experience and West Ham's struggles in the holding midfield position mean that West Ham may look to secure his signature to bolster their squad in the middle of the park. 

Scott McTominay would certainly benefit West Ham. He is a physical player who holds his own in midfield duels. While he doesn't come across as the most creative midfielder, the English Premier League has hardened him up, and he won't be shy about getting involved in the trademark rough-and-tough at the London Stadium.

With that being said, how could West Ham line up with Scott McTominay? Well, taking a look at it will reveal the exact reason why Julen Lopetegui dreams of the transfer...

The potential West Ham lineup with the Scott McTominay transfer in mind:-

West Ham lineup with Scott McTominay shows why Julen Lopetegui wants transfer

Goalkeeper and Defense

Alphonse Areola will continue to be the number-one goalkeeper choice for the 2024–25 season. Despite the arrival of 33-year-old Wes Foderingham, the Frenchman has proven his mettle as the starting keeper in his three seasons so far for the Hammers since arriving initially in June 2021.

Covering Alphonse Areola and sitting just behind a potential Scott McTominay and Edson Alvarez pivot when the latter returns from his injury will be the newly formed West Ham partnership of Max Kilman and Nayef Aguerd. Given that both players are impressing in the current ongoing preseason, they will be eager to get off to a good start to the Premier League campaign.

Off the left will be none other than Aaron Cresswell, who has made the left-back position his own since arriving from Ipswich Town way back in 2014. On the opposing flank, there could be another new addition in Aaron Wan-Bissaka. At this stage, Wan-Bissaka's signing looks more likely than Scott McTominay's, but West Ham would gladly welcome both if they could sell some players to raise the necessary funds.

Midfield

Last season, Tomas Soucek was forced to operate in the Declan Rice role. While this is something Tomas Soucek adjusted to well, there is still the feeling that he would be "unlocked" by signing a player who can relieve him of this Rice-onus. Therefore, Soucek will return to his more comfortable holding midfield position next season in rotation with Scott McTominay and Edson Alvarez if all goes to plan.

The player who will unlock Tomas Soucek is Scott McTominay. The Scottish midfielder has everything it takes to play in the Rice role, so he would help Soucek out defensively while primarily allowing the Czech international to advance the play forward and helping to bridge the gap between midfield and attack.

Then, of course, the set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse will play in the free-roaming midfield position. It is not only difficult to pin him down to one position, but it is also detrimental to the team. His presence is appreciated everywhere, so implementing Scott McTominay will only facilitate the best of Ward-Prowse.

Attack

In terms of the attack, there truly is only the striker position to look for West Ham to strengthen. Julen Lopetegui would like to bring in more depth, but he knows who his three starters are.

Centrally, Danny Ings will play the striker's role. This is the position that brings the best out of him, and if he replicates his Southampton form, West Ham fans will have no complaints about not bringing in a striker. However, after witnessing the Englishman's first eighteen months with the Hammers, West Ham needs to bring in a new number nine, for which they are interested in an inform La Liga striker. 

Off the right, Jarrod Bowen will start. He is truly on his way to becoming a club legend, with his 2020 move from Hull City becoming one of the Hammers's best transfer businesses in recent years as the Englishman starred in the UEFA Conference League winning campaign.

Off the left, Mohammed Kudus is guaranteed to start, having formed a superb attacking duo alongside Jarrod Bowen in his debut season with the Hammers.