After 32 games played in the Premier League, it looks almost possible that West Ham will qualify for the Champions League, or at worst another European competition.
This prospect is the consequence of the brilliant form the team has been in all season, and the prospect of qualification for their first Champions League will definitely motivate the players.
With a motivation to continue to play excellent football in front of returning fans, West Ham needs to keep up quality but also simultaneously improve.
Champions League qualification could make or break West Ham
The consequences of Champions League qualification can be positive and sometimes even negative for clubs like West Ham.
In the 2016/17 season off of their title win, Leicester City had a superb Champions League campaign, reaching the quarter-finals only to be slimily knocked out by Atletico Madrid.
Sadly, their Premier League campaign was not so dazzling as they only finished twelfth, with their title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri being sacked in February of that season after the Foxes were sitting in the relegation zone.
⚒️ @JesseLingard has been involved in 12 #PL goals in his first 10 appearances for @WestHam
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 24, 2021
Only three players have had a hand in more in their first 10 matches (Mick Quinn at Coventry, Les Ferdinand at Newcastle & Bruno Fernandes at Man Utd - all 13)#WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/ewJS2N5WJg
Leicester have certainly benefited from this in the long term, however, the East London side should be aware that keeping up consistent quality across all competitions will be a tough affair.
What do the Hammers need to succeed?
Speaking of Champions League quality, Jesse Lingard seems the most appropriate player in the current West Ham squad that can be sure to sparkle in the competition.
It goes without saying how important Lingard has been to West Ham in the matches he has played, and that all West Ham fans will be rooting for him to make a permanent move to the club in the summer.
Although the possibility of far more regular first-team football compared to Man United and West Ham’s upcoming European qualification is certainly tempting to Lingard.
Lingard’s departure may be harder than we think considering he has remained loyal and was developed through United’s academy.
As important as it is to sign new players, so is the importance of keeping your best players at the club.
In a similar vein of thought, the qualification to the Champions League will also help keep main man Declan Rice at the club. Rice has garnered a lot of interest, particularly from Chelsea, over the past few seasons.
As with Lingard, the prospect of Champions League or even Europa League qualification will balance the finances for the London club.
This in return will provide Rice with an acceptable opportunity to prove himself amongst the elite, without having to move to another club.
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An area that needs prioritising for the Hammers
One area that is in need of desperate attention over the summer transfer window for West Ham is their front men.
It has seemed at times that West Ham hasn’t needed a striker, particularly when they have such a productive central midfield and dependable wingers such as Jarrod Bowen and Michel Antonio.
Although these two players have slotted quite comfortably in the striker position, it would be ideal if they had a far more natural finisher at the front. West Ham have lacked a productive striker for a long time.
Fans will remember the short but unfulfilling spell of Sebastian Haller who they bought for £40 million and sold on for only £20 million at the midpoint of the season to Ajax.
The future does seem bright for West Ham. Football might be taking a back step but it’s a step that gives the Hammers hope.
Although the recent European Super League debacle has brought instability in certain parts of the composition of the league and the future of European football, in some ways the chaos has brought around an advantage for West Ham.
Obviously not wealthy enough to be included in the big six that intended to separate. In some ways, West Ham could be viewed as one of the far more stable clubs that will qualify for the Champions League.
Punishments for the six clubs are still unknown, and between Leicester and West Ham, both have a significant advantage in trying to keep players and also sign players for their respective clubs.
In conclusion, West Ham needs to continue their consistent form and not change too much of the surrounding players and tactics. However, this is harder than would be expected. Rice, Lingard and a number of other West Ham players will still be enticed by bigger clubs.
The Hammers must maximise their success in their last 6 matches if they want to maximise the possibility of any greater long-term success.