Speaking to talkSPORT, West Ham right-back Carl Jenkinson said he is not ruling out the possibility of the Hammers finishing in the top-four. The on-loan Arsenal defender believes that the club have the capability to qualify for the prestigious European competition, but knows it will not be an easy task.
We’ve beaten the clubs that you would expect to be in the top four, it’s a thing we are capable of but it is a very tough ask.
Finishing in the top four is almost a trophy in itself at times, it’s very difficult to get into and it’s such an achievement if we do. In terms of the players we have, I think we are capable of doing it, it’s not something the club’s done before in recent years. So it’s a very tough ask and I wouldn’t want to put pressure on ourselves by saying we definitely can, but it would be a good achievement if we could.
We just have to continue doing what we are doing and playing with the confidence and freedom that we have been playing with. If we do that, we’ll get a lot of wins and a lot of points. It’s a bit too early to start talking about the Champions League, it’s a very tough ask but never say never.
Jenkinson has scored an impressive two goals in West Ham’s last two games and if he can continue to play at his current level, that would contribute a lot towards the possibility of the club competing in the Champions League during the debut season of playing in their new home.
Heading into the Olympic Stadium with European football would be an extraordinary achievement for Slaven Bilic’s men, especially with it being the Croatian’s first season managing the club.
Next up for Jenkinson and the rest of the squad is the home fixture against last season’s champions and London rivals Chelsea. West Ham will be looking to build on the 3-1 away victory at Crystal Palace.
