What is stopping the team West Ham are planning to put together in this transfer window from making the Champions League next season?
That’s the question Hammers News is asking as West Ham look to close out two moves and plot another three.
Speculation is rife that West Ham are closing on deals for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran and Bayern Munich right-back Noussair Mazraoui.
The Hammers will then look to sign another centre-back with Jake O’Brien, Oumar Solet and Fikayo Tomori all targets after Jean-Clair Todibo snubbed a move to the London Stadium.
A central midfielder and left-sided attacker are also wanted with Crysencio Summerville of Leeds a West Ham target for the latter.
There is clearly a lot of work to do for West Ham technical director Tim Steidten and head coach Julen Lopetegui to get those deals done.
But what’s stopping this planned West Ham team from making the Champions League?
Lyon’s O’Brien the kind of dominant central defensive partner that the ball-playing Max Kilman is crying out for. They could be a match made in heaven in central defence for West Ham and a huge upgrade on Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd.
Mazraoui is the kind of high energy, pacy, modern, attacking right-back the Hammers have been crying out for. He could forge a seriously dangerous partnership with Jarrod Bowen on the right.
West Ham may start to see what Lucas Paqueta can really do in the more central role Lopetegui reportedly has planned for the Brazilian.
Summerville was the best player in the Championship at Leeds and would make West Ham a potent attacking force along with Duran and Bowen.
With Mohammed Kudus behind them in his preferred central role and Edson Alvarez shielding the defence, the Hammers can dare to dream of Champions League qualification.
Particularly if the Premier League gets five or six slots in the new-look format, as is expected in an average season.
Why West Ham’s Champions League dream is a realistic aspiration
As the new Premier League season looms, West Ham fans can dare to dream if Steidten can pull off these plans before the end of the window. The idea of the Hammers securing a coveted Champions League spot would no longer be a fanciful notion, but rather a realistic ambition. Qualifying for Europe would certainly be a justifiable expectation. Here Hammers News looks at several compelling reasons why West Ham can qualify for the Champions League next season.
1. Solidified squad and key additions
One of the most crucial elements in West Ham’s quest for a top five or six finish is the solidity and depth of their squad. Last season proved the quality in depth simply wasn’t there. But this season – should the transfer plans come together – that would no longer be an excuse.
There are three goalkeepers of fantastic experience and quality in Alphonse Areola, Lukasz Fabianski and Wes Foderingham. Mazraoui and Vladimir Coufal is a great choice of right-backs. Emerson has been one of West Ham’s better players over the last 18 months and will be backed up by Aaron Cresswell on the rare occasion he may be needed.
Summerville, Luis Guilherme, Kudus and Paqueta can all play on the left if needed. They can rotate around or change roles as well as deputising for Bowen if needed.
The bench has the ever reliable Tomas Soucek and set piece specialist James Ward-Prowse alongside the likes of Konstantinos Mavropanos and some promising young stars.
Up front Duran would be supported by the ageing Michail Antonio and Danny Ings. Not the best options in the Premier League by any means, but reliable and experienced nonetheless.
2. Lopetegui’s managerial masterclass
Gone are the days of David Moyes’ risk averse defensive football. Now Lopetegui has a brief to get West Ham playing a better brand of football while getting results. The Spaniard likes his teams to be adaptable game to game or even mid-game. So expect a more advanced, high pressing, high intensity approach to matches as the Hammers evolve tactically with a more offensive outlook.
3. European nous but no fatigue
Last season’s Europa League campaign provided West Ham with yet more invaluable European experience. The rigors of European competition over the last three years has helped the the Hammers to develop resilience and adaptability.
This season they’ll have that European nous and experience of having qualified regularly in recent seasons but without the fatigue that comes with actually playing in Europe.
While not being involved in European matches this season is disappointing for the club, players and fans, it could – rather ironically – be key to ensuring West Ham get back on the continent.
4. Fans thriving on more entertaining football
Many West Ham fans had grown fed up with the style of play under Moyes. That had a noticeable effect on the London Stadium atmosphere. Watching a more attacking, front-foot approach will have Hammers fans revved up for games.
The London Stadium atmosphere, with the roaring support of the Hammers faithful, can make it a true fortress for West Ham. The connection between the players and the fans can thrive with a more offensive style befitting the club’s history and roots.
The unity and collective drive towards achieving Champions League qualification can inspire the players to deliver exceptional performances, especially in crucial home fixtures. Much like we have seen with Aston Villa under Unai Emery and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle in recent seasons.
5. Favourable fixtures and competitor instability
The fixture list and the form of competitors also play a crucial role. West Ham’s ability to capitalise on favourable fixtures and maintain consistency against lower-ranked teams will be key.
West Ham do not play outside of London until October in one of the strangest fixture list quirks seen for years. Less travel means more time to recuperate, recover and do tactical work between matches, especially with no European fixtures. Additionally, instability among some of the so-called top six such as Chelsea, Liverpool and potentially Man City against the backdrop of the 115 charges. Villa will have a mammoth Champions League schedule to contend with too.
That may open up chances for the Hammers.
If West Ham can exploit those situations by building consistency then the path to the top five becomes clearer.
West Ham United’s dream of qualifying for the Champions League is not just an ambitious target but a tangible goal for the upcoming season. With a vastly improved first XI and squad, fresh managerial impetus and tactics, strength in depth, the fans massively onside and a potentially favourable landscape among competitors, the Hammers have all the ingredients necessary to seal a shock Champions League spot. Or at the very least make the Europa League.
This could be the season where West Ham finally qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
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