OPINION
West Ham’s impressive summer transfer business must see them challenge for Europe next season and secure a top-eight Premier League finish.
The Hammers have done some tremendous business so far in this transfer window, stealing a march on a number of clubs when it comes to deals.
First of all, the signing of manager Manuel Pellegrini is a real coup and the former Premier League winner is the perfect man to lead the club forwards. He likes his teams to play an attractive style of football, with free-flowing movement and lots of short passes. In short, Pellegrini likes his football played in the West Ham way.
So far this summer, the London club have signed Issa Diop, Andriy Yarmolenko, Lukasz Fabianski, Ryan Fredericks and Jack Wilshere. That is quite an ensemble.
Each signing adds quality to an area of the pitch where they badly needed it. Fabianski is a solid goalkeeper who has proven that he can win points on his own with important saves. Fredericks is a quality attacking-right back with real energy and a good delivery from wide positions, everything Pablo Zabaleta is not.
Issa Diop is an imposing centre-half who looks made for the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, who is also young enough to improve further at just 21-years-old. Then there’s Wilshere, who’s one of the most talented midfielders in the entire country. The central midfielder is capable of dribbling past opponents and playing telling passes that can open up any opposition.
The latest signing, Andriy Yarmolenko, is a dangerous forward with a hugely impressive scoring record, having scored 35 goals in 76 games for his national team Ukraine.
They’re not done yet though because, as reported by Sky Sports, Pellegrini’s side are close to signing Lazio winger Felipe Anderson for £35million in a deal that would shatter their transfer record by more than £10million.
The dazzling winger is an enigmatic talent who would improve any team in Europe, such is the level of his ability. The Brazilian has got rapid pace, provides good delivery from wide areas and gets his fair share of goals.
If the reported transfer goes through, there will be more than enough talent at West Ham to finish in the Premier League European places next season.
