English Premier League: Four things to watch in West Ham’s 18/19 Season

This was a key problem Everton faced last year after splashing the cash, and most of their signings were domestic.

With only a handful of pre-season games under the belt, the Hammers’ new boys must be well-conditioned and prepared before the 12th August at Liverpool.

The likes of Jack Wilshere, Felipe Anderson, and Andriy Yarmolenko have a tendency to blow hot-and-cold, so headway must be made to get them up to speed. The combination of Yarmolenko and Ryan Fredericks on the right appears to be promising – as does Arthur Masuaku and Anderson on the left.

Early signs indicate that the attackers, in particular, have gelled well, but the defensive signings leave something to be desired. It is crucial that Fabian Balbuena, Issa Diop, and Fredericks form a coherent partnership with the rest to give a historically enigmatic defence some steel. A baptism of fire against a fearsome Liverpool awaits on the opening week, so time is of the essence.