West Ham United will continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly match against non-league team Dagenham and Redbridge at the Chigwell Construction Stadium this Saturday.
This marks the first encounter between the two teams since their 2-2 friendly draw in July of last year.
On Monday, West Ham initiated Julen Lopetegui's coaching tenure with a 2-2 draw against Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.
After a rigorous week-and-a-half of training in the Austrian town of Kitzbuhel, the Hammers were down by two goals at halftime. However, second-half substitutes Danny Ings and Nayef Aguerd both scored, with Aguerd's goal in the 90th minute securing a draw.
Lopetegui has drawn positives from the challenging match against Ferencvaros and is eager for his senior and academy players to 'increase their rhythm' and implement the strategies they have been practicing as they gear up for the new season.
Following three consecutive seasons in European competitions, West Ham will focus solely on domestic competitions in 2024-25. Lopetegui's team aims for a top-seven finish in the Premier League after ending last season in ninth place under David Moyes.
After Saturday's friendly with Dagenham & Redbridge, the Hammers will travel to the USA to face Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace. They will then return home for their final pre-season friendly against Celta Vigo, scheduled a week before their Premier League opener against Aston Villa on August 17.
Last Monday, in his debut game as the Hammers' manager, Julen Lopetegui led his team out in Austria against Ferencvaros, a Hungarian team. Danny Ings and Nayef Aguerd's goals helped the Irons salvage a 2-2 tie after behind by two goals.
This weekend, West Ham will play their next game at Chigwell Construction Stadium, home of West Ham Women, versus Dagenham & Redbridge, a team in the National League.
Although a 5-3 loss and a goalless draw don't exactly fill one with optimism, Dagenham & Redbridge should be sharp for West Ham's arrival having previously played twice in the preseason.
Paul Kalambayi, Christian N'Guessan, and Trent Rendall are just a few of the Daggers' recent summer additions that should play at some time.
Six players who are still healing from their participation in international tournaments this summer will not be accessible for Lopetegui: Jarrod Bowen, Alphonse Areola, Michail Antonio, Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek, and Vladimir Coufal.
Max Kilman, Wes Foderingham, and Luis Guilherme—all summer additions—all played against Ferencvaros and could earn further playing time on Saturday.
