West Ham United finished 6th in 2020/2021 Season on 65 points.
What an incredible season West Ham had last season. During a season which saw many teams struggle with the dawning of the pandemic and the absence of fans, West Ham seemingly excelled. They finished an impressive 6th in the league, one position off their club record highest finish of 5th, which they achieved in 1999. David Moyes was initially brought in to revitalize a flimsy West Ham side that swayed way below their standards around the time of Dimitri Payet's departure from the club. It was not long ago that fans were rioting in the stands and leaving matches early, but now, West Ham fans will be more eager than ever to get inside the London Stadium and watch their best squad in years. Moyes has got his side playing some wonderful football, with Michael Antonio re-establishing his prowess in front of goal, Declan Rice and at the time debutant Tomas Soucek patrolling the midfield with other honorable mentions going to Jarrod Bowen and Vladimir Coufal. In a strange season, many speculated that teams such as West Ham strived off the absence of fans, with the removal of fans and attention lifting some pressure of these players who don't often play in the biggest of games. Personally, I feel it is ludicrous to even suggest that and if anything the pressure is higher, and West Ham most certainly deserve an enormous amount of praise for what they accomplished. To put it into perspective, the Hammers finished just two points off Chelsea and a place in the Champions League and also placed above Arsenal and Tottenham, two teams that deem themselves capable of pushing of the top four race when in truth, West Ham looked likely to achieve the unlikely bit fell short just at the last few hurdles, an end of season management skill that is often associated with higher rated teams. This is a result of West Ham overachieving, which is not an attempt to discredit their accomplishment, but to simply explain why they fell off. They were truly indulged in the top four race and were acting as a huge disturbance to the sides who want to finish their every season. Moyes truly transformed this West Ham side and brought them within touching distance of implausible campaign, however sixth is more than astonishing and ensures Europa League football for the Hammers this season. Going forward and in midfield West Ham look assured and sound, but in defense is where they could have been more organized. Moyes has looked to strengthen this area with the impressive signing of Kurt Zouma from Chelsea, a player who was on the fringes at Stamford Bridge not by way of his quality, but rather Chelsea's vast quality at the back. His arrival at the London Stadium seems like the perfect switch for all parties. They have also brought in Alphonse Areola on loan from PSG, an established Champions League goalkeeper who will further shore up their defense. Also, West Ham have continued with their Czech Republic contingency by signing Alex Král from Spartak Moscow. The positives ahead of the new season seem endless for West Ham, with the return of fans, the recruitment and the growing chemistry within the squad, the Hammers are definitely ones to watch this year.
MAJOR TRANSFERS.
IN- Kurt Zouma- (Chelsea, £29.8 million).
Alphonse Areola- (PSG, loan).
Alex Král- (Spartak Moscow, season loan with option to buy.)
Nikola Vlasic- (CSKA Moscow, £25.7 million).
OUT- Fabian Balbuena- (released).
Felipe Anderson- (Lazio, undisclosed fee).
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