As the Hammers begin the season aiming to avoid a repetition of last season’s struggle against relegation, Edson Alvarez has become the club’s first signing of the window, and the additions of Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse look close.
After capturing the UEFA Conference League in June, David Moyes’ team will play in Europe for the third straight year. West Ham placed sixth in 2020–21 and seventh in 2021–22, although it is highly improbable that they will contend for a top–seven spot this season given the strength of the signings made by Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Along with their league performance, making it to the finals of a domestic cup would also be considered a successful season. 17 years have passed since West Ham’s FA Cup final loss to Liverpool on penalties. In each of the last three seasons, they have advanced to the fifth round, twice falling to Manchester United. Additionally, they previously advanced to the Carabao Cup quarterfinals in 2021–22 before falling to Tottenham Hotspur 2-1.
Can West Ham United remain optimistic in the upcoming season?
West Ham started last season off poorly, winning only one of their first seven games. New players having trouble integrating into the squad, a contentious VAR ruling in the defeat to Chelsea, and Moyes not knowing his best starting XI were some of the contributing causes. However, the manager’s contract is about to expire, and another season in the lowest echelons of the league would hurt his prospects of keeping the job.
Following Declan Rice’s transfer to Arsenal, the Premier League champions have not yet made an official request for the 25-year-old, and West Ham cannot afford to lose two of their top players in the same transfer window. Paqueta, whose contract has four more years left, is unquestionably someone they do not want to sell.
Is there any signings that the Hammers can make to strengthen their squad?
Alvarez has value when selling, has earned 68 Mexican caps, and has twice helped Ajax win the Eredivisie (in 2020–21 and 202–22).
Even if it could take him some time to get used to his new surroundings, the 25-year-old, he will wear the No. 19 shirt, is an intriguing signing. Alvarez’s pre-season has started later than that of his new teammates because he was a member of the Mexico team that captured the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer.
Last summer, Chelsea made a €50 million (£42.8 million) bid to Ajax for the services of the Mexico international, sparking Premier League interest. However, the transfer fell apart late in the transfer window because Ajax believed there was not enough time to find an alternative. West Ham will be hoping Alvarez has similar qualities to Rice both on and off the pitch.
Must Read: What can West Ham United expect of Edson Alvarez? Explained
What may have been the manager’s downfall?
Moyes frequently declines signings. Since taking over in the month of December, the Scotsman has declined to sign Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez and Everton’s season-long loanee, winger Arnaut Danjuma.
Another frequent complaint from fans is that Moyes may be a very cautious manager. The biggest sources of his frustration are his late-game substitutions and inability to adjust his starting XI. This may be a season that can truly show how West Ham can bounce back under Moyes.
Is there any other problems that needs to be fixed before the season starts?
Since moving from Aston Villa in January, Ings has battled with consistency and has only registered two league goals in 17 appearances. Antonio, who is approaching the final year of his contract, is 33 years old and has the option of leaving during this offseason. Mubama excelled throughout the preseason, although Moyes is always cautious when bringing in young players.
West Ham has not yet named substitutes for Mark Warburton and Paul Nevin off the pitch. Both coaches resigned from their positions as the head coaches in June and July, respectively. Since 2021, Moyes has also lost significant players in the background in Stuart Pearce and Alan Irvine.
