West Ham United Women's fantasy football potential is transformed after a significant summer squad rebuild. Manager Rita Guarino has reshaped the team following a 10th-place finish in the Barclays Women's Super League last season, aiming for a climb up the table.
The Hammers' refreshed lineup offers several intriguing options for fantasy managers. The club's squad page reflects these substantial changes, with multiple new faces arriving and one key departure.
Viviane Asseyi remains a central figure in the West Ham attack. The forward is the team's assigned penalty taker and took the majority of corners last season. She also takes direct free kicks, though new signing Katie Zelem is a potential alternative for set-pieces. Asseyi carries a fantasy price of £8.0m, making her the most expensive West Ham asset.
New arrival Ebony Salmon, who joined from Aston Villa, is priced at £5.5m. She averaged 5.53 dribbles and 2.97 progressive runs per 90 minutes last season, indicating her direct attacking threat. Fellow £5.5m midfielder Katie Zelem brings proven top-flight experience to the engine room.
Rita Guarino has specifically bolstered her defensive options. Laia Codina joined from Arsenal for a £5.0m fantasy value, adding solidity at the back. Estelle Cascarino's loan from Juventus has been made permanent, with the defender costing £4.5m. Cascarino averaged an impressive 5.03 interceptions per 90 during her loan spell, a statistic that highlights her defensive reading of the game.
These additions aim to provide a more balanced platform for the team. Fans can track the team's defensive progress on the official stats page throughout the campaign.
The overhaul was necessary after a challenging previous campaign. "It was a difficult season for West Ham last time out, but Rita Guarino has used the summer to rebuild her squad and now there’s a much fresher, more balanced look to the side," the manager said. The departure of Shekiera Martinez to Tottenham created space for new recruits like Kelly Gago, who arrived from Everton.
This fresh look is designed to help the team improve on their league position. The current standings show the competitive nature of the WSL, where every point is vital.
Fantasy managers looking for budget options should consider the defensive reinforcements. Estelle Cascarino at £4.5m could provide strong value if she maintains her high interception rate. Ebony Salmon's £5.5m price tag seems reasonable for a player with her dribbling output and potential for attacking returns.
The mix of established stars and new signings gives Guarino more tactical flexibility. The team's upcoming schedule, visible on our fixtures list, will test this new-look squad immediately. West Ham United Women begin their WSL season against Manchester City on September 13th.
