West Ham supporters in the Transfer Tavern are eagerly anticipating the 2018/19 Premier League season following the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as the club’s new manager earlier in the summer.
The former Manchester City chief replaced David Moyes in the London Stadium hotseat back in May following the Scot’s departure at the end of last season, this all despite leading the Hammers to a 13th place finish in the Premier League. Nonetheless, the club’s hierarchy decided against extending his stay as manager and instead drafted in ex-City boss Pellegrini, who of course led the Citizens to the Premier League title during his stint at the Etihad Stadium.
As such, there are many expectant West Ham fans up and down the country, several of whom are growing in confidence that their side could challenge for the European spots given the business their team have conducted so far.
The likes of Felipe Anderson, Jack Wilshere, and Andriy Yarmolenko are some of a whole host of accomplished players that have made the move to East London this summer, although it’s just as important that Pellegrini retains some of their most prized assets to complement the new additions.
In fact, the Hammers could challenge for Europe this season if they keep hold of these TWO stars…
There is no one that epitomises West Ham United football club more than Mark Noble, and while some of the summer additions bring more quality to the midfield ranks than he does, he will play as big a part as anyone in the Hammers’ success this term.
The 31-year-old is West Ham through and through in coming up through the youth ranks at the club and then going on to make 435 appearances for the Hammers, 319 of which have come in the Premier League.
Ultimately, the club captain knows exactly how much it means to the supporters to see a West Ham team doing well, and having someone like that in and around the dressing room will be vital if Pellegrini is to indeed take the club forward this summer.
One of West Ham’s best players last season was undoubtedly Marko Arnautovic, whose resurgence was particularly timely given he made a slow start to life at the London Stadium.
The 29-year-old made the move from Stoke City last summer but failed to hit the ground running in East London, with it taking until David Moyes took over for the Austria international to produce the goods.
And he did just that by netting 11 goals and laying on eight assists for the Hammers over the course of the campaign, thus underlining his status as one of their most influential stars, and one they simply must keep amid interest from Manchester United.
