James Ward-Prowse is set to be sold

It was a foregone conclusion that with their huge number of new signings, West Ham United would sooner or later have to sell players.

The new first team coach, Julen Lopetegui, has been in the position long enough to know what he expects from his players and which players can offer him what he needs.

The Irons produced an excellent performance in their 2-0 away win at Crystal Palace, a game in which they were beaten 5-0 last season.

How times change.

West Ham could sell James Ward-Prowse this week

Under David Moyes, the Hammers played much more cautiously than Lopetegui’s heroes, relying on the accuracy and reliability of James Ward Prowse’s play from set pieces and his ability to play passes in transition.

The talented midfielder hardly saw action under the Spaniard.

According to WhoScored, Ward-Prowse has played just 16 minutes in West Ham’s opening two games this season.

That has attracted the interest of Nottingham Forest, according to Football Insider, who also noted the 18 goals and assists the player scored for the East Londoners last season.

At first glance, it seems like a strange decision to sell Ward-Prowse, given how technically perfect he still is. But at 29, he is not getting any younger and perhaps the club are planning to sell him while they still can.

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From Lopetegui’s point of view, it is clear that he has his own ideas about how he wants things to go. If he can put together a good run in his first few games, the Hammers fans will give him the benefit of the doubt.

His next Premier League test is likely to be his biggest, when Man City visit the stadium in London. After a home defeat to Aston Villa on the opening day, it is not inconceivable that the Spaniard would want another home defeat on his CV so soon after the previous home defeat.