Joe Cole lifts lid on why he thinks West Ham are destined for Champions League

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Former West Ham United star Joe Cole has revealed why he believes playing in the Champions League is in his old club’s destiny.

The Hammers missed out on qualification for Europe’s elite competition by just four points last season as they racked up their best ever Premier League points tally.

Even more excruciating for West Ham fans was the fact Slaven Bilic’s side drew 14 games, the joint most with Everton, many of which they should have won but for some poor refereeing decisions and slack defending when in the lead.

This season has been a very different story with West Ham struggling in an increasingly competitive league and currently sit 13th in the table at the halfway stage.

West Ham’s Olympic Stadium

Many pundits and fans have pointed to the club’s big move to their new 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium home as a factor behind their demise with players and fans struggling to adapt to their new surroundings.

Others feel that is too easy an excuse and point the blame at a poor summer of recruitment with only Edimilson Fernandes of West Ham’s 10 first team signings having made any kind of positive impact.

But now Cole, who had two spells with the Hammers, has told the club’s official website he sees Champions League as part of their future…something he could never envisage at their former Boleyn Ground home.

Joe Cole during his second spell at West Ham, where he started his career

“West Ham have now got the capabilities to compete with the biggest teams in the world,” Cole told whufc.com.

“It is exciting times for the club and West Ham can now compete with the top teams financially.

“You can see Champions League football being played at London Stadium. If you are honest, you probably couldn’t see that happening at Upton Park.

“But with the stature of this new Stadium, you can see it happening.

“I am looking forward to coming back to London Stadium and watching Champions League football in the future. The fans will love that.”

Cole’s words give an indication of the allure the club’s new ground will have for players even if some fans are yet to feel fully at home there.

As West Ham start to see the financial benefits of moving into the Olympic Stadium – and indeed of having 52,000 season ticket holders – co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold will surely target top quality players rather than the free transfers and loan signings which have diluted Bilic’s squad this term.