West Ham United will begin their Premier League campaign for the 2023/ 24 season against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
West Ham United will be looking to make an impressive start to the new season after a disappointing league campaign last year. The Hammers had to fight for survival in the Premier League for most of last season and they ended up finishing 14th in the league table.
The East London club will be hoping for a better season this time around and they will be aiming for a top-half finish at the very least. West Ham managed to win the UEFA Europa Conference League last season and they will be competing in the UEFA Europa League as a result of that. It will be interesting to see if they can impress with their performance in the European competition.
The Prelude
West Ham United are set for an exciting campaign and they will be looking to do well in the Europa League. The Hammers certainly have the squad for a cup run and it remains to be seen whether they can win another trophy this season.
The UEFA Europa Conference league win will have given them an immense confidence boost and they are likely to be an attractive destination for players as well. With the Declan Rice money available to spend, West Ham have the tools to put together a formidable squad in the next few days.
It will be interesting to see if they can plug the gaps in their squad and start the new season on a high. West Ham have the bones of a good squad and a few intelligent additions across the pitch could transform them.
West Ham must look to bring in a reliable defender first and they should also look to invest in a proven goalscorer. The Hammers struggled in front of the goal last season and players like Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca were largely underwhelming.
Squad Update
West Ham are certainly a more weakened unit compared to last season after the departure of their club captain and star midfielder Declan Rice. The 24-year-old was undoubtedly the best player at the club and the Hammers will have to do well to replace him properly.
West Ham have not been quite active in the transfer market so far and they will have to do a significant amount of business in the remaining days of the window. The Hammers looked vulnerable defensively and they must look to bring in a reliable central defender. They have been linked with a move for the Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.
The 30-year-old England international has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and he has been made available for transfer. Maguire has previously shown his quality with Leicester and he could be a quality acquisition for West Ham.
Regular football at the London club would help him regain his form and sharpness. Similarly, West Ham will have to sign a top-class midfielder to replace Declan Rice. Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez is reportedly closing in on a move to the London club.
West Ham should look to bring in a quality playmaker as well. Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse could prove to be an important addition. In the attack, they should look to bring in a reliable goal scorer.
Jarrod Bowen was the only reliable attacker at the club last season and it is one area that is in need of reinforcements. Other than that, West Ham should look to bring in a talented young left-back as well. Aaron Cresswell is in his twilight years and the hammers need to start planning for the future.
Key Fixtures
West Ham will begin their Premier League campaign away from home to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. The Hammers will then host London rivals Chelsea at home next week.
Mid-September promises to be a tricky time for the Hammers with them facing Manchester City and Liverpool in back-to-back matches. December will be difficult for the Hammers as well. They will be taking on London rivals Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Fulham, Arsenal and Manchester United as well.
Getting through the festive period points on the board will be crucial for the Hammers as they aim for a top-half finish. Meanwhile, the Hammers have been handed a difficult end to the campaign as well. David Moyes’ men will face Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City in three of their last four league matches of the season.
Key Players
Jarrod Bowen
The 26-year-old West Ham winger is undoubtedly the best player at the club right now, especially after the departure of Declan Rice. West Ham will need him in top form if they want to do well next season.
Bowen had an impressive campaign last year scoring 13 goals across all competitions and picking up 8 assists along the way. He was one of the main reasons why West Ham managed to win the Conference League and he will be their main source of goals and creativity once again.
Nayef Aguerd
The Moroccan international defender had his fair share of injury problems last season and he will be desperate to make his mark in English football next year. Aguerd has shown his quality in patches and he was outstanding in the recently concluded World Cup as well. He could be a defensive rock at the back for West Ham and help them tighten up defensively.
Season Expectations
West Ham have a talented squad at their disposal and they have a proven Premier League manager in David Moyes. There is no reason why they should be fighting the relegation battle once again and they must look to aim higher.
West Ham should look to aim for a top-half finish and do well in the domestic competitions as well. It will be interesting to see if they can produce a run in the Europa League next season.
The gulf in quality between Europa League and the Conference league is substantial. And winning the competition will be extremely difficult for the London club but they could still put up a fight in the European competition next season. With the right additions, West Ham can expect a top-half finish in the upcoming season.
