West Ham United’s pre-season return has been confirmed ahead of Scotland and Evian trips but fixtures are yet to be announced.
West Ham enjoyed a brilliant pre-season last summer which saw David Moyes’s side get off to a flying start in the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup.
The Hammers hit a dip following the November international break and struggled for the same level of consistency and performance for much of the rest of the season.
But much of that was put down to the shallow West Ham squad Moyes was operating with.
Last season, the COVID-19 pandemic restricted West Ham to friendlies in England and Scotland. It was the second consecutive pre-season West Ham had a camp at St Andrew’s in Moyes’s homeland.
West Ham fans have been wondering what this summer might hold in terms of pre-season plans and fixtures.
Now West Ham’s pre-season return date has been confirmed ahead of rumoured Scotland and Evian trips but fixtures are yet to be announced.
According to a new report from The Athletic, West Ham will report back for pre-season training on Monday June 27th.
No pre-season fixtures have been announced as yet but West Ham usually line up a quality side to play at the London Stadium on the last Saturday before the Premier League season starts.
That should mean a game against a top opponent for the annual Betway Cup on Saturday July 30th.
Last term Italian side Atalanta came to east London in a game West Ham won 2-0.
What we do know is that Moyes has shunned far flung and potentially lucrative pre-season tours to the likes of Australia this summer.
According to Claret and Hugh, West Ham will again have a training camp at St Andrews as well as Evian in France.
“The manager strongly believes the extra miles can cause extra fatigue and tiredness ahead of the 20222/2023 Premier League start which starts earlier this season because of the World Cup,” Claret and Hugh stated recently.
As reported by Hammers News last week, West Ham’s involvement in European football means they will get a tournament bye once again in the Carabao Cup.
In August West Ham face a two-legged play-off to qualify for the Europa Conference League group stages.
In a normal season West Ham would enter the Carabao Cup in the second round.
But teams competing in Europe get a bye in the Carabao Cup meaning West Ham – like last season – will not enter until the third round, which is being played on November 8-9 next season, two months later than usual.
The Conference League play-off round features 10 teams with the draw taking place on August 1st and the first and second legs played on August 18th and 25th.
West Ham will learn their fixtures for the new Premier League season on June 16th.
Next season’s Premier League campaign concludes on May 28th 2023.