Manuel Pellegrini
Last season:
Premier League: 13th
FA Cup: Fourth round (Lost vs Wigan)
Carabao Cup: Quarter-finals (Lost vs Arsenal)
West Ham have had a rough time in the past two seasons, haven’t they.
Since leaving Upton Park and moving to the newly built 60,000 seat London Stadium in 2016, the Hammers have never lived up to the hype they promised in the 2015/16 Premier League season. But after the events of this summer, West Ham fans are feeling optimistic for the first time in a very long time.
A new season, a new manager
The biggest change in East London this season comes in the form of the man who has taken up the hot seat, Manuel Pellegrini. Whilst most West Ham managerial appointments are normally met with either excitement or dread, just look at fan reactions of when Slavan Bilic and David Moyes were appointed, Pellegrini’s appointment has been approved by the majority of Hammer fans as well as fans of other clubs.
Pellegrini has a proven track record of success in England with Manchester City and on the continent with Villarreal and Malaga, and the way he sets his teams up and his transfer policy could be favourable with the West Ham faithful.
West Ham go big on transfers
Speaking of transfers, who did the Chilean manager bring in to the London Stadium to help rejuvenate a West Ham squad desperate to turn their fortunes around?
The biggest transfer that surprised football fans around Europe was the acquisition of Felipe Anderson from Lazio for a reported club record £40 million. The Brazilian winger had been hot property by many sides around the continent during his time for the Roman club, but the Hammers have taken the plunge and managed to sign the exciting attacker.
And West Ham didn’t stop there. Next came Issa Diop, one of the most highly rated French youngsters and a player who was sought after by the likes of Arsenal and PSG. Then came Andriy Yarmolenko from Borussia Dortmund, a favourite amongst football hipsters for his gritty yet entertaining style of play for both club and country.
Jack Wilshere was also scooped up by the Hammers on a free transfer after the England international was released by Arsenal following discussions with new manager Unai Emery.
Two final deadline day signings in the form of Lucas Perez, again from Arsenal, and Colombian international Carlos Sanchez from Fiorentina wrapped up an incredibly impressive window for West Ham and Pellegrini. As for departures, Cheikhou Kouyate was the only major sale for the club as the towering midfielder swapped East London for South London in a £9 million move to Crystal Palace.
Hammers to surprise this season?
After the past two miserable seasons suffered by the club, West Ham are long overdue a Premier League campaign to smile about, and this could be their time.
The mentality and mood of the club as changed dramatically over pre-season. The fans are optimistic, the players look happy to be in training and working under their new manager, and there is overall genuine hope in the West Ham camp that this season will be a good one.
A top half finish will be the goal for Pellegrini’s side after the Hammers finished last season 13th in the league, and due to their summer business, they can easily achieve this goal.
Their problem, though, will be managing to gel the big influx of new players with the current crop of talent at the club. Even before the summer spending West Ham had a fairly big squad, and with only one standout departure it could be difficult for Pellegrini to mix the new with the old to create a winning formula.
But, because Pellegrini is a manager of genuine intelligence and quality, the former Manchester City manager could find the team that makes West Ham click sooner rather than later.
