Former Premier League defender Alan Hutton has backed West Ham to ‘challenge at the top of the table’ this season.
This comes following a frantic end to the summer transfer window at the London Stadium as the Hammers completed four first-team signings in total over the summer.
Irons’ boss David Moyes added Nikola Vlasic, Alphonse Areola, Alex Kral and Kurt Zouma to a squad that overperformed throughout the course of last season.
Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Aston Villa full-back Hutton claimed that the club has what it takes to compete once again this term.
I think a centre-forward is the only missing piece for them. Antonio is fantastic. When he plays, they’re a better team. But we know over the last couple of seasons that he has struggled with injury. They’ve always been searching for that other number nine, but it’s not quite worked for them. Seb Haller is an example where it’s not quite worked for West Ham. If they brought a striker through the door to compete with Antonio, to play with him, whatever – it would be absolutely perfect. They’ve picked really well in the market and they look a really strong team ready to challenge at the top of the table.
West Ham have certainly picked up where they left off last term having made an unbeaten start to the 2021/22 campaign.
When the squad reconvenes following the ongoing international break, with new faces included, Moyes’ side will face Southampton at St Mary’s.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Well, you never know.
The newfound squad strength certainly gives Moyes the best opportunity to emulate the success of last season and perhaps even supersede those achievements.
Given the additional workload imparted by Europa League football, the ranks will be tested to the maximum and the failure to land that allusive striker could hurt in the long run.
