Manuel Pellegrini has shown serious ambition since joining West Ham, but could heightening expectations so drastically backfire shortly?
Manuel Pellegrini has expressed his desire to get West Ham United playing attacking and progressive football again next term, and the players the Chilean has been linked with certainly suggests he means business.
However his ambition could come back to haunt him if he’s unsuccessful in the pursuit of elite level targets.
Thus far the ex-Manchester City boss has been strongly linked with moves for Paris Saint-Germain maestro Javier Pastore (Sky Sports), two-time Premier League winner Yaya Toure (the Sun), Lazio speedster Felipe Anderson (Sky Sports) and European centre-backs Armando Izzo and Marlon Santos (Sky Sports).
Yet so far, only a move for Fulham right-back Ryan Fredericks has materialised (BBC Sport), and progress on the more lofty targets seems to have stalled for the most part.
While fans are refreshed at the new manager’s endeavour, aiming too high too soon in terms of recruitment can be something of a double-edged sword – in that it gets fans onside, but can cause huge disappointment if deals fail to materialise.
Moves for big targets take far more negotiating and often fall through, and if it happens with multiple targets it can easily bring a negative air to the club, especially if more conservative signings are made in their place.
The 64-year-old won’t concern himself with these dangers as he looks to build his dynasty at the club, but football fans can be fickle and after his early enterprise, Hammers will now expect big signings and big performances at the London Stadium next term.
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