West Ham player ratings so far this season: Three score 9/10 as 5/10 given to ‘sluggish’ midfielder

Every Premier League campaign seems to have one surprise package - a team who, against expectations, start strong and somehow manage to sustain their early-season form to grind out an admirably decent finish. This year, it would appear that West Ham are very much in the running to be that club.

Domestically-speaking, the Hammers did not have a good season last time out. A final position of 14th, just six points clear of the relegation zone, caught everybody off-guard, and were it not for their Europa Conference League triumph, you would imagine that the mood in east London would have been remarkably sour heading into the new term. Factor in the loss of Declan Rice to Arsenal, and there were all sorts of questions marks as to how the Irons would fare in the coming weeks and months.

But, after a late summer splurge and an unbeaten run in their first four matches, optimism continues to simmer at the London Stadium. With that in mind, and with the first international break upon us, we’ve taken a look at every player to have featured for 90 minutes or more in the Premier League this season to see how West Ham’s squad is shaping up so far...

Alphonse Areola - 8/10

Drafted in somewhat unexpectedly as David Moyes’ first choice goalkeeper this season, the Frenchman has thus far more than vindicated his manager’s decision. A fine shot-stopper who has conceded just four goals in four games, he has genuinely impressed at times. He’s also an absolute bargain on Fantasy Premier League.

Vladimir Coufal - 7/10

Dependable, if a little unremarkable so far. Coufal does his job well enough for the Hammers, and if you need proof of how important he is to his side, just look at the mild panic that has set in over the prospect of him being absent for Saturday’s clash with Manchester City.

Emerson Palmieri - 7/10

Another who has started the season well, Emerson has established himself as West Ham’s undisputed left-sided defender and looks set to remain in that position going forward. One slight criticism: he loves a booking. It’s now three in his first four Premier League outings this term.

Kurt Zouma - 7/10

Arguably West Ham’s best defender so far this season, his presence at the back is going to be important for the Hammers if they are serious about sustaining this promising start to the campaign.

Angelo Ogbonna - 6/10

With just 111 minutes of football to his name so far, Ogbonna has given us less to go on than others on this list, but he’s looked sound enough when called upon.

Nayef Aguerd - 6/10

Perhaps not the most scintillating start to the season for the Moroccan international, who has looked good in flashes, and not quite at his best in other moments. Take the 3-1 win over Chelsea, for example, where Naguerd both found the back of the net and was shown a red card in the second half. Still an important figure for the Hammers, but one who has gears left to find.

Tomas Soucek - 7/10

Rangy and powerful, Soucek’s appeal has always been housed largely in the physicality he can offer a midfield engine room. Now adjusting to life without Declan Rice, the Czech seems to have found a decent foil in James Ward-Prowse.

Edson Alvarez - 7/10

Introduced slowly, Alvarez looks to be steadily finding his feet in east London after arriving from Ajax over the summer. The Mexican international has the potential to be a real asset to David Moyes’ squad, but still needs a little more time to properly reach his full tilt.

James Ward-Prowse - 9/10

When the aforementioned Rice left for Arsenal over the summer, the immediate question was how West Ham would ever be able to adequately replace him. Ward-Prowse’s impact in claret and blue has, however, gone a long, long way towards allaying those fears. One goal and a trio of assists in his first three outings would suggest that the England international has settled right in at the London Stadium, and if he keeps up his current form, he could prove to be one of the signings of the summer.

Pablo Fornals - 5/10

Things haven’t quite clicked for Fornals so far this season. Minutes have been at a relative premium, and his cameos have yielded little in the way of meaningful creativity. He hasn’t done much wrong, but he hasn’t done a great deal right either.

Lucas Paqueta - 9/10

The Brazilian is looking every inch the sort of player that Manchester City would be eager to try and sign in the early knockings of this new season. Creative and composed in the centre of the park, he continues to pull strings for the Irons, and the longer they can keep him at the club and in this kind of form, the better for their prospects this season.

Jarrod Bowen - 9/10

West Ham’s most dangerous player so far this term, with three goals and an assist in his first four outings, Bowen continues to go from strength to strength at the London Stadium. The attacker has been so good, in fact, that his absence from Gareth Southgate’s most recent England squad felt like a real injustice.

Said Benrahma - 6/10

Decent enough, but the Algerian will know that he can offer more. If West Ham can start to see the best out of Benrahma too, their attack will take on an even more fearsome hue.

Michail Antonio - 8/10

Very nearly ousted over the summer, Antonio has proven over the early part of the season that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. A real hassle for opposition defences on his day, the 33-year-old has already scored twice in four games, and is likely to remain the Hammers’ first choice striker going forward.