West Ham United have endured a fairly disappointing season in the Premier League, but showed last season what they could be capable of.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring
Michail Antonio has suggested to ESPN that West Ham could challenge for the European spots once again next season, and added that they should target a new right-back, centre-back and two strikers.
The Hammers have endured a disappointing campaign in the Premier League and go into the final handful of games just seven points above the bottom three, which has proved especially frustrating given how impressive the side were during Slaven Bilic’s first season in the dugout with the club.
But Antonio has suggested that with four additions in specific areas of the pitch, they could be capable of pushing for the top places in the division once again.
“We need to sign a couple of players — a right-back, one more centre-half, two strikers — and get more goals. If we can do that, we will be up there for European places,” he told ESPN.
Antonio’s assessment of which areas need work will arguably be met with plenty of approval amongst the Irons supporters as they have often been questioning the depth in the same areas of the pitch this term.
Sam Byram has only really shown glimpses of his potential on the right-hand side of defence, while finding the best central defensive partnership remains on Bilic’s to-do list it seems.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Meanwhile, Antonio – who has predominantly played in midfield, if not slightly further forward this term – remains their top goalscorer in the league with nine goals to his name, so it is hardly surprising that a new striker is on his dream shopping list.
Andy Carroll’s seven goals makes him the side’s highest scoring striker, and that is undoubtedly a statistic that needs to be improved upon significantly if the Hammers hope to make a charge for the European spots next season.
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