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West Ham: First choice XI for 2016-17

By Tom Bogert

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Mark Noble (16), Andy Carroll (9) and Dimitri Payet of West Ham United (27) celebrate victory after the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground on May 10, 2016 in London, England. West Ham United are playing their last ever home match at the Boleyn Ground after their 112 year stay at the stadium. The Hammers will move to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016-17 season. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Mark Noble (16), Andy Carroll (9) and Dimitri Payet of West Ham United (27) celebrate victory after the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground on May 10, 2016 in London, England. West Ham United are playing their last ever home match at the Boleyn Ground after their 112 year stay at the stadium. The Hammers will move to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016-17 season. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Adrian of West Ham United celebrates with Winston Reid of West Ham United after saving a penalty from Troy Deeney of Watford during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Watford at the Boleyn Ground, April 20, 2016, London, England (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Adrian of West Ham United celebrates with Winston Reid of West Ham United after saving a penalty from Troy Deeney of Watford during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Watford at the Boleyn Ground, April 20, 2016, London, England (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

GK Adrian

Since joining West Ham in 2013, Adrian has compiled 100 appearances for the club. He’s West Ham’s undisputed number one, despite Darren Randolph’s prowess for the Irish national team at the Euros this summer.

Adrian has a bit of a temper and is liable to the odd mistake, but he’s twice as likely to make a world-class save. He’s an adequate keeper in the division, West Ham could certainly do worse.

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CB Winston Reid

Reid was brought to West Ham in 2010 from FC Midtjylland and has made 160 appearances for West Ham since arriving.

The central defender scored the final goal at Upton Park last season when West Ham won a brilliantly entertaining 3-2 game against Manchester United. He’s on a longtime deal and will anchor the backline for years to come.

The defensive spine between these three players is solid. While Payet got all the plaudits, Carroll the headlines, Reid, Ogbonna and Adrian quietly helped drive the team towards the business end of the table.

CB Angelo Ogbonna

Last summer, West Ham did shrewd business in the transfer market. Of course Payet’s signing is waxed lyrical about, but they were also able to bring aboard Ogbonna from Juventus. It may have been an easy decision for Ogbonna to leave Old Lady, with three of the best central defenders in the world ahead of him, but he shouldn’t have been bereft of options and West Ham were the ones who were able to court his signature.

In his maiden season with the club, he was able to make 34 appearances. His partnership with Reid has been forged well.

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