Football Season Guide

Now genuine troublemakers for the ‘Top Six’, West Ham narrowly missed out leapfrogging Manchester United into the Europa League, finishing seventh last season. David Moyes led a compact West Ham all the way to the Europa League semi-finals in what was a successful campaign for the Hammers. This summer, they have strengthened all lines by signing prodigious Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca, talented defender Nayef Aguerd and versatile midfielder Flynn Downes. Club legend Mark Noble retired, while several backup players with limited playing time departed the club. West Ham retained the team’s backbone intact. Following a season where their defence was hit by injuries, they will hope that the team can stay healthy enough to challenge in all four competitions. Their main strength being their solid double pivot that consist of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, West Ham also boast versatile defenders who can feature in more than one position and deliver in various formations. West Ham’s lack of depth could potentially be their major weakness ahead of next season. Moyes’ trick to use a second unit in the Europa League games last season worked, but West Ham struggled in the last stretch when they were hit by injuries to starters.