An amazing revelation about new signing Fabricio Bruno has dropped a big hint about major West Ham changes that are on the way.
‘He’s just a Spanish David Moyes’ is just one of several dismissive claims made about new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui.
It’s fair to say the 57-year-old has not captured the imagination of some Hammers fans.
And though he kept Wolves up from a perilous position, the fact they only scored 23 goals during his 23 games is also being used as a stick with which to beat Lopetegui.
Or at least pre-judge him after he was officially unveiled as West Ham’s 18th boss in 129 years last week.
Fans have been craving a modern, innovative coach who can implement a drastic change in approach and style after growing so tired of “Moyes ball”.
There is no hiding that Moyes’ tried and trusted tactics are deemed to be from a bygone era by many.
What’s undeniable is that West Ham had become something of a busted flush under the now departed Scot. Five wins in 25 games since the turn of the year and a record 74 goals conceded last season are evidence of that.
Lopetegui labelled a ‘Spanish Moyes’
A host of pundits, journalists and former West Ham players and managers have been raising serious doubts over the appointment of Lopetegui.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague knows more than most about Lopetegui’s career, record, tactics and philosophy. He has been a lone voice at times in defending the new West Ham head coach’s CV and methods.
Balague has been particularly exasperated at what he claims is ill-informed pre-judgement of Lopetegui as a dour, defensive manager in the mould of Moyes.
Some have even pointed to the fact Lopetegui – a former goalkeeper – has chosen to make his first signing a defender as proof of that perception.
The Hammers have signed Flamengo and Brazil centre-back Fabricio Bruno for around £12.5m.
The 28-year-old no-nonsense defender is the first arrival of the “Lopetegui era”.
But an amazing Bruno revelation actually drops a big hint about major West Ham changes.
Bruno revelation hints at major changes
WhoScored are the world’s leading football data analysts.
And they have revealed something about Bruno which proves Lopetegui fully intends to completely change West Ham’s style of play.
Because Bruno is an absolute pass master whose key attribute is to build a team’s play along the floor from the back.
“Fabricio Bruno has made more accurate passes than any other defender since the start of the 2023 Brasileirao season (2,278),” WhoScored state.
“West Ham have agreed a £15m deal for the 28-year-old centre-back, per reports.”
Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten will be well aware of this statistic and Bruno’s strengths.
So there is clearly a plan for West Ham to start building play from the back.
The new West Ham way?
Under Moyes West Ham would go back to front – or diagonally – all too often.
The long diagonal switch to Jarrod Bowen became so predictable it blunted West Ham’s effectiveness.
By the end West Ham lacked any clear patterns of play under Moyes beyond getting the ball to Bowen, Mohammed Kudus or Lucas Paqueta and hoping for something special.
And it showed in results.
Despite being labelled the ‘Spanish Moyes’ new man Lopetegui is ready to overhaul the style and approach to a more possession-based game and build-up.
He is under pressure to show he can play a better, more entertaining and modern brand of football while getting results.
Time will tell whether he can, but the signing of Bruno suggests he fully intends to try.