Paul Merson pays West Ham the ultimate compliment despite writing off hopes. Pundit Paul Merson has been discussing what he expects from West Ham this season and has paid the club the ultimate compliment.
The new Premier League season kicks off today and pundits have been having their say on what they expect from West Ham. West Ham have a new head coach, new staff and a raft of new players. Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten have been backed by the owners with eight quality signings.
The Irons have signed an intriguing mix and blend of exciting young stars and experienced players who are ready to go. Brazilian teen sensation Luis Guilherme and young flying Dutchman Crysencio Summerville have bolstered the Irons’ attack for the years ahead.
The Hammers have also, just as importantly, kept the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
Powerful Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug has been signed as well as midfielder Guido Rodriguez – a World Cup and two-time Copa America winner with Argentina. West Ham’s defence has been massively upgraded too. Centre-back duo Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo have been joined by new right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the London Stadium.
West Ham may not be done there either with further additions possible should deadwood leave in what many are calling the club’s best ever window.
With so many changes, West Ham will undoubtedly be a work in progress during the early throes of the season. So facing Champions League Aston Villa in the opening game is a tough assignment.
West Ham’s window is being dubbed their best ever. And it has raised hopes among fans – and expectations among the press – that the east Londoners can qualify for Europe again.
West Ham are not hiding from that as their stated target. Indeed Lopetegui’s two-year contract has a clause whereby a third year is automatically activated should he lead West Ham to European qualification of any kind.
Outspoken pundit Paul Merson was a big fan of ex Hammers boss David Moyes. Merson pays West Ham the ultimate compliment
He has been running the rule over the club and laying out his prediction after the summer business.
And Merson has paid West Ham the ultimate compliment despite writing off their hopes. Merson says he doesn’t see the Hammers being a ‘surprise package’ this season.
But only becaus West Ham qualifying for Europe simply wouldn’t be a surprise. “There’s been a lot of talk about West Ham and their summer business, but I don’t see the Hammers being a surprise package this season,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“Them doing well is not really a surprise to me, they have been in Europe a lot over the last few years and also won the Europa Conference League a couple of seasons ago. “They have bought well and made some decent signings, but it’s still going to be hard for them to break in to say the top four.”
‘Expect West Ham to thrive under Lopetegui’
Merson’s Sky Sports colleague and analysis expert Lewis Jones thinks West Ham will thrive under Lopetegui. And he is backing the Hammers to get off to a flier by beating Villa 2-1.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see West Ham thrive under Julen Lopetegui, whose emphasis on possession football and playing a higher defensive line that made Sevilla an exciting prospect to watch should go down well at the London Stadium after the dirge that has been served up at times under David Moyes,” Jones said in his Jones Knows column.
Meanwhile Ian Wright has backed West Ham to qualify for Europe when speaking on The Overlap.
Jamie O’Hara and Gabby Agbonlahor agree with Wright. The talkSPORT duo say West Ham are now a big problem for the Premier League.
