--- title: "Slaven Bilic’s Dream West Ham 2016/17 XI including Jamie Vardy" canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/slaven-bilics-dream-west-ham-201617-xi-including-jamie-vardy/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Barnaby Lane" section: "Premier League" published: "2016-05-11T18:45:09Z" modified: "2016-05-11T18:45:09Z" --- # Slaven Bilic’s Dream West Ham 2016/17 XI including Jamie Vardy **West Ham continued their march towards european football last night, with a fine 3-2 victory over Manchester United in the last ever game at the Boleyn Ground.** Tears were aplenty at the Tavern, in what was an emotional night for the Hammers and their fans, and Slaven Bilic’s side ensured the ultimate night was one to remember. Having led through Diafra Sakho’s deflected shot; an early second half brace from United’s Anthony Martial dampened the mood, before two fine crosses from Man of the Moment Dimitri Payet were converted excellently by Michail Antonio and Winston Reid. Reid’s winner capped a historic night in East London and leaves the Hammers 6th in the table, now only one point behind United in 5th. A 6th place finish would be enough to secure European football next season, however the Irons will hope a final day win at Stoke will be enough to match their best ever top flight finish of 5th back in 1998/99. Bilic has propelled the Hammers from mid-table strugglers to top four challengers, in what has been a fantastic season for the former Croatia boss and his West Ham players. With the move to the Olympic Stadium now in sight, Bilic and West Ham have a bight future ahead and the promise of European football will only further improve the club’s prospects in the coming years, not to mention attracting some of Europe’s biggest stars. Transfer rumours have had West Ham fans salivating at the thought of next season, [with Michy Batshuayi, Jamie Vardy and Roberto Pereyra just some of the superstars to be linked with a move to the Hammers this summer.](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-transfer-news-christian-benteke-sadio-mane-jamie-vardy-and-theo-walcott-on-hammers-striker-a3244516.html) We spoke to our locals at the Transfer Tavern who told us their dream XI for West Ham’s introductory season at the Olympic Stadium including Mr Jamie Vardy…..\ \[ffc-gallery\] ## PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE BILIC’S DREAM WEST HAM XI WITH VARDY! ![bilic9w](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bilic9w.jpg)\ \[/ffc-gallery\] ## GK – Adrian ![adriand](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/adriand.jpg) The only absentee in last night’s victory, Adrian has been solid for the Hammer’s all season, amounting a run of four consecutive clean sheets back in February and 9 in total this campaign. The Spanish keeper has been a revelation since he’s arrived at the east London club – and he’ll undoubtedly be a part of Slaven Bilic’s 2016/17 team. ## RB – Gregory van der Wiel ![Van Der Wiel](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/4763213.jpg) The PSG and Netherlands star has been recently linked with a [move to East London](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/668423/West-Ham-PSG-Paris-Saint-Germain-Premier-League-Gregory-Van-Der-Wiel-Transfer-News-Gossip) amongst rumours of being unsettled at the Ligue 1 Champion’s. With plenty of European football experience under his belt, van der Wiel would be a solid addition and fill the often rotated right back spot for the Hammers. ## CB – Winston Reid ![reid7333](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/reid7333.jpg) Supposedly subject to interest from Arsenal, according to out landlord; Taverner’s agree the Irons should hold on to the towering New Zealander, and not only because he scored the last ever goal at the Boleyn Ground. The Kiwi is still young, and looks set to be a mainstay at the heart of the West Ham defence next season. ## CB – Mehdi Benatia ![benatia](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/benatia.jpg) With Bayern Munich having now signed yet another Borussia Dortmund star in the form of Mats Hummels; it now appears there is little space in the squad for former Roma defender Mehdi Benatia. West Ham could find themselves a steal if they swoop for the highly-rated Moroccan man. The centre-back is incredibly underrated and would be a fantastic signing for the club. ## LB – Aaron Cresswell ![cresswelld](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cresswelld.jpg) Last season’s ‘Player’s Player’ at the Hammer’s, 26-year-old Cresswell has had another impressive season for the Londoners. Having started 32 games in the Premier League this season, the former Ipswich man looks only to be getting better. ## RM – Michail Antonio ![michail antonio](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/michail-antonio.jpg) Antonio might just be the unluckiest man in English football at the moment. The former Nottingham Forrest winger was named second in the Player of the Year awards at the Hammer’s behind Dimitri Payet, and has yet to be given the nod for England despite being in fantastic form. A terrific player and a joy to watch. ## CM – Mark Noble ![Mark Nobleb](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Mark-Nobleb.jpg) Again, Noble can find himself hard done by having not been called up to the England squad much like his team mate Antonio. The captain has been an ever-present figure in the Hammers’ midfield, and a driving force behind the club’s success this campaign. ## CM – Cheikhou Kouyaté ![Cheikhou Kouyate](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Cheikhou-Kouyate.jpg) This boy covers some ground. The colossal 6ft 4 Senegal International seems to pop up all over the place, often starting the Hammers’ attacks from the back having won the ball in his own half. It’s possible the former Anderlecht man has gone under the radar this season, due to the success of N’Golo Kante at Leicester; but the pair are almost one in the same. ## LM – Dimitri Payet ![payetm](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/payetm.jpg) Need I say anything here? West Ham’s talisman this season, the incomprehensibly talented Frenchman has had a season to remember, being nominated for PFA Player of the Year and named in the PFA Team of the Year. And those free kicks….. Payet is simply integral to the West Ham United side now, and the club need him to be part of the side next season if they want to battle for the top six in the division. ## ST – Alexandre Lacazette ![Alexandre Lacazette](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Alexandre-Lacazette.jpg) “Will I still be in Ligue 1 next season? I will think about it. I need to take good decisions.” [Lacazette recently told Canal +](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/alexandre-lacazette-to-west-ham-france-striker-thinking-about-lyon-departure-a3244826.html) amidst plenty of speculation a move to England is on the cards for the Lyon and France striker. With 23 goals to the young striker’s name this season, the Hammers would be in possession of one of Europe’s hottest forwards. ## ST – Jamie Vardy ![vardy211111](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/vardy211111.jpg) A [reported ambitious £25 million bid](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/11/football-transfer-rumours-jamie-vardy-west-ham-leicester-city) is on the cards in a cheeky attempt to sign Leicester’s star man Vardy this summer. While unlikely, Slaven Bilic would be certainly having a party if he could secure the Englishman’s much sought after signature.