Hull City boss Shota Arveladze can hand Oscar Estupinan and four further summer signings their Tigers debuts on the opening day of the Championship season at home to Bristol City.
The Robins raise the curtain for the new campaign at the MKM Stadium on July 30, chasing successive wins over the Tigers. Hull have not beaten Bristol City in their last eight second-tier meetings, with their last win coming in April 2016 before five defeats and three draws.
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Arveladze has heavily refreshed his ranks with the support of Tigers owner Acun Ilicali this summer, though. Eight fresh faces have arrived in Humberside during the off-season sales so far, while Hull Live claim the Tigers are keen to add at least two further options, as well.
Hull keen to hit 10 summer signings including Estupinan for promotion push
Ilicali and Arveladze are eager to add attacking options from the Premier League to further strengthen the Hull dressing room. George Honeyman joining Millwall has left a void at the No.10 position as the Tigers strive to assemble a side they believe can fight for promotion.
Another loanee is also wanted to add further strength in defence, but neither are likely to arrive at the MKM Stadium before Saturday’s curtain-raiser. So, with that in mind, who can Arveladze field beside Estupinan and four summer signings in Hull’s XI against Bristol City?
Matt Ingram (GK): Goalkeeper to eye continued No.1 presence in 22/23
Matt Ingram will have his sights set on retaining first-choice status at Hull through the full 2022/23 term. The 28-year-old started last season as No.1 between the sticks, but lost out to Nathan Baxter between November and February and again in April for 31 league games.
Tobias Figueiredo (CB): Hull sign new defender after Nottingham Forest axe
Hull have signed Tobias Figueiredo on a two-year contract after his release by Nottingham Forest on June 30. The 28-year-old helped the City Ground side win the play-offs last term over 26 appearances, and will now hope to help the Tigers after a solid pre-season stretch.
Jacob Greaves (CB): Watford interested in Hull defender but he’s too expensive
Arveladze will hope Hull can retain key defender Jacob Greaves this summer, with Watford showing an interest in his transfer. The Athletic report the recently-relegated Hornets have made enquiries for the 21-year-old, but sense a £5-7m valuation is out of their price range.
Sean McLoughlin (CB): Arveladze to retain faith in Republic of Ireland ace
Sean McLoughlin established a leading presence at the MKM Stadium last season, and will expect Arveladze to retain faith in his services this term. The 25-year-old gained a starting role in November and played all 90 minutes in all 29 of the Tigers’ following league games.
Ryan Longman (RM): January signing from Brighton to build on Hull record
Ryan Longman will now hope to build on his Hull record after joining the Tigers for £700k in January after an impressive loan spell from Brighton & Hove Albion. The 21-year-old hit three goals and four assists during his temporary spell, but he only added one further goal.
Ozan Tufan (CM): Hull sign Fenerbahce midfielder on a three-year deal
Hull have signed Ozan Tufan from Fenerbahce in a transfer that could be worth £4m if the Tigers secure promotion. The 27-year-old spent the first half of last term at Watford as the Hornets were relegated from the Premier League and is also a 65-cap Turkey international.
Jean Michael Seri (CM): Hull sign new midfielder after Fulham release
Hull have signed Jean Michael Seri to a three-year contract following his release by Fulham on June 30. The Cottagers allowed the Ivorian to leave west London after he helped to win the Championship title under Marco Silva last term with six assists and a goal in 33 games.
Seri is now eager to help Hull gain promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2016/17. He also told the Tigers’ YouTube channel how Ilicali was key to his decision to move to the MKM Stadium as a free agent, with many sides also showing some interest.
“When I met the owner, he said to me: ‘We want you because we know you can help us to go where we want to go,’ and that meant everything,” he said. Adding: “We know that the project is just starting, but why can’t we get promoted in the first year?”
Callum Elder (LM): Winger to start with injury likely to sideline Fleming and Sinik
Callum Elder is likely to start when Hull host Bristol City on the opening day with Brandon Fleming and summer signing Dogukan Sinik likely to be missing through injuries. Sinik has joined Arveladze’s growing list of absentees after he picked up a calf issue during training.
Hull are still waiting on scans to determine the full extent of Sinik’s injury, but expect their £4m signing from Antalyaspor to miss Saturday’s match. Fleming is also set to be absent against the Robins, letting Elder start the MKM Stadium meeting after a strong pre-season.
Tyler Smith (RAM): Forward to start amid Sheffield Wednesday interest in Wilks
Tyler Smith will hope to get the nod against Bristol City, with Sheffield Wednesday showing interest in signing Mallik Wilks, per Hull Live. The Owls and Tigers are locked in talks for the forward, who is keen on a transfer and has an agreement in principle over personal terms.
Wilks would be a doubt to face the Robins regardless of the negotiations over his future at the MKM Stadium, as well, after reporting an injury. While his future with Hull may rumble on until the end of the summer market after Sheffield Wednesday only submitted a £200k offer.
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (LAM): Hull sign Iran forward from Fenerbahce after loan
Hull have signed Allahyar Sayyadmanesh to a four-year contract with the option of a fifth, after reaching an agreement with Fenerbahce to turn his loan spell into a permanent deal. The Iran international had spent the second half of the last Championship season on loan.
Arveladze may now have to field the five-cap forward from the left-flank with Sinik joining Fleming, Randell Williams and Wilks out through injuries. The Tigers boss had hoped Sinik would rise to replacing Keane Lewis-Potter after his £16m, up to £20m, move to Brentford.
Oscar Estupinan (ST): Hull sign new striker in former Vitoria de Guimaraes star
Estupinan has signed a two-year contract to join Hull after the free agent striker left Vitoria de Guimaraes. He will now expect to lead the Tigers’ attack with Arveladze and Ilicali eying promotion, having hit 15 goals and three assists across 28 Liga Portugal games last season.
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