Dhaka Tribune Sports has decided to discuss last year’s performance, and potential of the teams in the forthcoming English Premier League.
In our series of discussion Wednesday, we will analyze various aspects of West Ham United and Aston Villa.
Despite being one of the oldest London clubs with a good fan base and a couple of minor trophies in European level, West Ham, a club formed by shipbuilders of Thames in 19th century, never won a top-tier league, and survival in the EPL will be their main target once again.
Appointment of Chilean and former EPL winning manager Manuel Pellegrini brought high hope among the Hammers fans for the 2019-20 season as the board backed the coach with some exciting and big-money signings from the transfer market.
But from mid-season, West Ham’s plight got worse and as a consequence, Pellegrini was given the sack.
Although Hammers started the 2019-20 season with a thrashing from Manchester City (lost 0-5 at home), 11 points from the next five fixtures, including a win against Manchester United, made things promising for the London club and fans were expecting at least a mid-table finish, or even European football at that point.
But they lost their way and eventually Pellegrini was axed in December 2019 after a run of nine losses in 12 games, leaving West Ham just one point and one place above the dreaded relegation zone.
David Moyes was appointed manager and later the Hammers survived relegation in the late stage of the league, finishing 16th in the end.
Holding midfielder Declan Rice was one of their impressive performers last season and the 21-year old is now a Chelsea target.
If West Ham sell one of their main prospects for a heavy price, Moyes may then spend the money to bolster his squad, particularly attacking options.
Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson needs to shine next season as the winger is still adapting to life in England.
Nine goals and four assists last season was not too bad for Anderson but fans can certainly expect more from the attacker who came in for £35m from Italy in 2018.
Midfielder Tomas Soucek has joined the Hammers permanently on a four-year contract for a fee of around £19.1m, and the 2019 Czech footballer of the year will be a crucial player for Moyes in the coming season.
So after a turbulent season of ups and downs and following the departure of Pellegrini in 2019-20 season, West Ham may hope for a more settled season.
Aston Villa
For the new generation of football fans, Villa may sound like a lower-middle table club but the Birmingham-based club are one of the most successful and traditional clubs in England.
Villa are only one of five clubs in the country to win the European Cup that is yet to be won by the powerhouses like Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and City.
The club were also one of the 12 founding members of the original English League in 1,888 and also a part in the inaugural EPL in 1992 when they became runners-up behind United.
The club, after a three-year stay in the second tier following 24 successive years in the EPL, could narrowly prevent relegation last year, but they had some bright spots and will look forward to improve in the forthcoming season.
Jack Grealish was not only the undisputed best player for Villa but also an EPL star last season.
But the stellar rise of the 24-year old, who joined Villa at the age of six, has attracted many suitors among the big clubs and coach Dean Smith’s plan will depend whether the captain stays or not.
Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan, commonly known as Trézéguet, was another bright spot and the Egyptian owner of the club will definitely want to see his compatriot shine more, while 27-year old England international Tyrone Mings will become their defensive leader if the club keep him away from joining the big clubs.
The transfer market will be open till the first week of October and a club like Villa will be looking to bolster their strength.
Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain is heavily connected with the club and perhaps the side will need some inspiration and young recruits to keep their heads above water in another tough season in the top tier.