OPINION
On paper this pre-season has been a massive step forward for West Ham, and now, with rumours of Southampton’s Mario Lemina emerging as their latest acquisition, the club must match that progress on the pitch.
Since the Premier League season ended in May the Hammers have succeeded in marrying a state of the art stadium with a title-winning manager and a host of talented new players.
Some may feel that David Moyes was treated cruelly after he rescued the club last season, but that was only ever a marriage of convenience and when a club like West Ham gets the chance to bring in a manager of Manuel Pellegrini’s quality they must take it.
The Chilean’s arrival was always going to raise expectations even without considering new signings, but seeing the calibre of player the club has brought in this summer must have Hammers fans dreaming of glory days.
All this expectation must be tempered into realism, of course. No one is putting money on Pellegrini’s side gatecrashing the top four this season, that’s for sure. But significant progress is now not only desired, it’s expected.
That’s what happens when you bring in players like Felipe Anderson, Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko and Issa Diop, not to mention the smart, low-cost recruits Ryan Fredericks and Lukasz Fabianski.
And there’s talent already in the squad, too. Marko Arnautovic was a roaring success in his first season at the club last year, while you’d expect to see an improved Javier Hernandez up front under Pellegrini, too.
Midfielder Pedro Obiang is reportedly set to re-join Sampdoria in a move that would create room for Lemina to arrive, another undoubted talent who would immediately improve the team. Although the Gabon international has struggled for consistency at St Mary’s Stadium, he has real pedigree and would slot straight in alongside Wilshere in midfield.
It’s easy to get carried away when you see names like Wilshere and Yarmolenko, but this season will be a transitional one for Pellegrini’s men. It’s likely the club see this year as the start of their climb back to prominence, with the former Manchester City boss seen as the man to return them to their former glory.
Having said that, West Ham must be targeting Europa League qualification this season. There is a chasm below the top six, and the Hammers should be fighting Everton for the right to fill it this season. A cup run wouldn’t go amiss too.
The pieces are finally starting to fit together at the London Stadium, and under Manuel Pellegrini’s leadership this team needs to deliver on the promise of the summer.