West Ham are one of the teams that have emerged as a real force in recent years despite not being among the traditional Big Six Premier League clubs.
Since the start of David Moyes’ second spell in charge of the Hammers, they have enjoyed stability of performances and a structure behind the scenes. The result of this is a sudden ascent from struggling for top-flight survival to competing for the top four positions.
West Ham have taken full advantage of their European adventures as a semi-final finish in the 2021/22 Europa League was followed by triumph in the UEFA Europa Conference League the following year. This proved to be their first major trophy since 1980 and their first European victory in 58 years.
In Moyes’ third full season, there was a growing clamour for a more progressive style of play given the level of talent at their disposal. Indeed, after leading the Irons to three consecutive seasons in Europe for the first time in their history, Moyes was not handed a new West Ham contract.
The appointment of Julen Lopetegui is thus an interesting move as he is a coach with Premier League experience looking to make a bigger impression with an ambitious club. In West Ham, he finds a club willing to embrace the next chapter of their growth.
To that effect, West Ham tickets will be among the top demand in the Premier League 2024/25 season.
Despite an abrupt exit from Wolves on the eve of the 2023/24 season, Lopetegui was appreciated for what he achieved at the Molineux. He is originally known for a high-pressing, front-foot style of play that will delight the West Ham faithful who got sick of the boring brand of football played under their previous manager.
The East London side is focusing on a structured approach, with Tim Steidten overseeing the recruitment of players while Lopetegui looks to form a side capable of challenging for European qualification places.
Par for the course, West Ham are targeting at least five signings in the January transfer window.
West Ham Ins and Outs
The Hammers have already brought in attacker Luis Guilherme, goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and defender Max Kilman so far, and they are still looking to sign another centre-back, a full-back, a central midfielder and a striker to complete their summer overhaul.
The striker department is one to watch as Michail Antonio and Danny Ings are no longer dependable to lead the line for a full season and fresh faces are needed with some names on the target shortlist.
The likes of Jhon Duran, Armando Broja, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Youssef En-Nesyri and free agent Kelechi Iheanacho have been linked to the London Stadium.
Aston Villa’s Duran is reportedly Lopetegui’s primary target and he could be available for around £40million after impressing in just 462 Premier League minutes last season. The Colombia international scored eight times in all competitions and West Ham will aim to provide the platform to kick on and establish himself next term.
Elsewhere, West Ham are also interested in signing Danish international Matt O’Riley from Celtic who offers a goalscoring presence from midfield. He could form part of a quality squad but a move remains unclear at the time of writing.
Jean-Clair Todibo is another interesting target for the Hammers having already had a first bid for the 24-year-old rejected because Nice are demanding around £40m. The Frenchman will provide a real boost of quality to West Ham’s defence and the possibility of another bid is yet unknown.
More defensive cover was sought in the form of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the Manchester United right-back would excel at a club like West Ham thanks to his defensive acumen and experience which is much needed in the London Stadium. The Englishman had only one year left on his current contract although reportedly favoured a move back to the English capital where Crystal Palace are yet to show serious interest.
Another solution to West Ham’s need for a full-back could come in the form of a swap deal involving Flynn Downes and Kyle Walter-Peters. Downes enjoyed a successful loan spell as Southampton returned to the Premier League, while manager Russell Martin’s contract extension will have reinforced his desire to make that loan move permanent.
Nevertheless, Lopetegui’s appointment slowed down what already seemed like a done deal that works for all parties as Walker-Peters is in the final year of his Southampton contract and could be willing to go to West Ham.
Downes has made it clear he is open to re-joining Southampton but is currently in pre-season training with his parent club, while there has been no major development in this potential swap deal, that could change very quickly.
The Lopetegui way
West Ham’s new head coach must get the quality of players he wants to hit the ground running. Although he may have admitted that keeping Wolves up was his most difficult managerial achievement, the tactician’s preferred style of play is best measured by his three seasons at Sevilla where there was one Europa League win and three consecutive top-four finishes.
The Spaniard adopted a fluent passing game – one of his first job requirements at West Ham – and this bore success as Lopetegui was the first man to coach Sevilla in three Champions League seasons in a row.
The specific player demands must be met for this overhaul of West Ham’s playing style to be achieved.
Yet, they have made some smart recruitment choices in recent years as the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus, Nayef Aguerd, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse were signed to great effect. This makes West Ham well capable of a return to European competitions which is one of their primary targets going into this season.
Should they be able to achieve continental football again, West Ham will find themselves within a decent coefficient place after European football’s governing body released their annual standings which influence seedings in draws.
UEFA takes each club’s results over the previous four seasons, coupled with the home associations coefficient, to calculate club rankings. Therefore, West Ham’s 16th-placed ranking puts them ahead of La Liga giants Atletico Madrid (17th) and Barcelona (18th) as well as Arsenal (19th).
West Ham are within touching distance of qualifying for European football again and the swagger under their new manager should see them cause a threat to the biggest clubs.