West Ham’s announcement of new squad numbers can only mean good things head of the new season, according to ExWHUEmployee.

Prior to the Boreham Wood pre-season match, it was announced that four first team players would be changing their kit number for the coming season. The departure of Manuel Lanzini means that Lucas Paqueta can take the number 10 shirt, switching from 11 last season. Gianluca Scamacca will be taking the 11 this season instead of wearing number 7.

Maxwell Cornet will be hoping that leaving his previous number, 14, will also leave behind the bad luck he had last season. He will now be wearing the number 17 for our Hammers. Last but not least, Areola has switched from the number 13, which interestingly is considered lucky in France, to number 23.

To some, this may seem like nothing more than players choosing their favourite numbers, but what it represents is deeper than that.

Following rumours of PSG interest in Paqueta and the recent Scamacca drama, the change in numbers show that exits aren’t necessarily on their minds.

ExWHUEmployee has given us his exclusive thoughts on this. “I think this is good,” he confirmed, “because it shows they care about what number they are wearing and this wouldn’t be the case if they were looking to move.” As he’s previously stated, the club has no intention to sell Paqueta and wouldn’t be interested in selling Scamacca either – unless they made most of the money back that they paid for him.

“Paqueta suits the number 10 as our Brazilian playmaker,” Ex continued. “Scamacca has worn the 11 in the past. It also frees up the number 7 for a new signing! Areola has also got his preferred number as has Cornet so it’s worked well”

It may be a simple gesture, but it shows the players’ commitment to West Ham. The club have made it clear the players are happy at the club and, while not guaranteed, the likelihood of those four moving on are fairly low.

By Charlie Bass