Pre-Season Preview: West Ham

Last season was mostly regarded as a disappointment for many West Ham fans. So how will this year fare for the Hammers?

The London side splashed around £90 million last campaign as they looked to break into the top six; however, the Hammers underwhelmed considerably as they avoided relegation comfortably but failed to reach the heights of finishing the season in a European spot.

West Ham finished the 2018-19 campaign in tenth – fourteen points adrift of the Europa League spots and 19 points adrift of the Champions League positions.

Marko Arnautovic (10) contributed the most goals to West Ham’s final League tally of 52. Felipe Anderson (9), Chicharito (7), Michail Antonio (6) and Mark Noble (5) all provided valuable contributions.

Transfers

In:

Sebastien Haller (£36m) – Eintracht Frankfurt

Pablo Fornals (£25.2m) – Villarreal

Goncalo Cardosa (£2.7m) – Boavista

David Martin (Free) – Millwall

Roberto (Free) – Espanyol

Out:

Marko Arnautovic (£22.5m) – SIPG

Pedro Obiang (£7.2m) – Sassuolo

Edimilson Ferndandes (£6.75m) – FSV Mainz 05

Lucas Perez (£2.07m) – Alaves

Reece Oxford (1.8m) – FC Augsberg

Sam Byram (£747k) – Norwich

Samir Nasri (Free) – RSC Anderlecht

Adrian (Free) – Liverpool

Jordan Hugill (Loan) – QPR

Andy Carroll (Released)

Moses Makasi (Released)

Fixtures

West Ham begin their Premier League campaign at home to reigning champions Manchester City. The Hammers then head to Brighton & Hove Albion before then heading to Watford.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side entertain newly-promoted Norwich City on the final day of August before facing Aston Villa in the first game of September. The Hammers travel to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday 22 September.

With a mixture of fixtures against top-six challengers and newly promoted sides, the Hammers should be able to collect a reasonable amount of points. Early fixtures against Manchester City and Manchester United will also allow the Iron to evaluate their chances of finishing in the top six.

Manager

Speaking on the eve of the new season, boss Pellegrini declared his optimism at improving upon last season.

“Of course, this is my second season and I hope we are going to improve what we did last year,” he said.

“I think that last season we grew a very big step, especially the relationship between the fans, the stadium and the team, and I think that is absolutely linked with the way we play.

“I think that was a good pre-season with good rivals, all of them important teams, and I think we had good moments and bad moments, as is normal in this part of the season.

“I am very happy with the amount of goals we are scoring, but a little bit worried about the amount of goals we are conceding.

Targets

Having missed out on a European spot last term, many West Ham fans will be desperate for their side to improve upon last season’s campaign.

The Hammers have reduced their spending in comparison to last year – Manuel Pellegrini has spent just short of £64million this summer; however, the addition of key players such as Fornals and Haller strengthen West Ham in crucial positions.

As a result, the Hammers will once again have aspirations of finishing in a European spot; although, the Iron should have more conviction this season if they can avoid complacency and enjoy spells of momentum.

Expected starting XI

Roberto, Cresswell, Diop, Cardoso, Fredericks, Fornals, Sanchez, Lanzini, Anderson, Antonio, Haller.