West Ham United 21/22 Season Review: A Fast Start Loses Pace

In many ways, West Ham’s final game of 2021/22 was a representative of their season as a whole; a great first half, followed by a subdued finish.

Against Brighton away from home, David Moyes’ men were a mere 45 minutes away from securing a second straight season of guaranteed Europa League football, only for fatigue and inconsistency to ensure they didn’t.

As with the rest of the campaign, it was a case of so near, yet so far; a season which (but for a few key moments going differently) might have yielded more, but one certainly to be proud of nevertheless.

West Ham enjoyed a blistering start to the season, led by the outrageous form of Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, and Saïd Benrahma, but in particular, sole striker Michail Antonio. Such was the consistency of form the Hammers carried over from their previous campaign, they found themselves in the Champions League places as recently as mid-February.

A desperately thin playing squad, however, bolstered only by Kurt Zouma, Nikola Vlasic, Alphonse Areola and Alex Kral, were stretched further by injuries and European commitments – and eventually, it showed. The last 11 league matches saw the club collect only 11 points, ultimately culminating in that sorry defeat on the south coast to deny a repeat in the Europa League in the cruellest fashion.

In the cup competitions, the East Londoners played out some of the most memorable ties in recent times. The EFL Cup saw West Ham paint Manchester claret, defeating both United and 4-time-holders City in thrillingly close ties – the latter thanks to penalties. Moyes’ men were disappointingly knocked out by Southampton in the Fifth Round but avoided one of the great cup upsets away to Kidderminster Harriers to reach that point.

But it was the Europa League for which they reserved their best. Having dominated the group stages, West Ham produced some of the greatest moments in their recent history in defeating such hallowed continental names as Sevilla and Lyon to reach the semi-finals. While they let slip a golden opportunity to win it all against eventual champions Frankfurt, the glories of those European nights will not easily be forgotten by a grateful fanbase.

Also unlikely to ever be forgotten will be the career of long-serving captain Mark Noble, the Canning Town boy-made-good who retired following 550 appearances in claret and blue. His departure will be keenly felt, made all the more bittersweet in being unable to send him off with a well-deserved trophy.

End of Season Team Awards: 

Player of the Season: Declan Rice

The first name on West Ham’s teamsheet, and increasingly for England too, Rice (23) is already one of the world’s best midfielders, and clearly the main man at the London Stadium.

While he was already a league-leading defensive presence, Rice’s attacking play this season was phenomenal, capped by breathtaking solo goals in crucial moments in the FA Cup and in Europe. The Englishman is a real leader, and for that too he is the clear player of the season. On the field, he wears the armband, and is set to become club captain off it too, should he remain in East London.

Flop of the Season: Nikola Vlasic

While Alex Kral’s perplexing time in East London warrants a mention, Nikola Vlasic’s failure to meet the hype marks him out as the clear flop of the season. In a transfer window in which manager David Moyes chose to spend on quality not quantity for his playing squad, Vlasic was the most expensive signing at over 30 million pounds.

The Croatian was signed following a breakout two years in Russia and expected to fill the sizeable hole left by Jesse Lingard. Unfortunately, as with his time at Everton, Vlasic never quite got going and spent the majority of his time on the bench.

Most Improved Player: Jarrod Bowen

Arguably West Ham’s co-MVP this season with Rice, Jarrod Bowen now joins his club teammate in international colours after a real breakout season where he announced himself as one of the league’s very best.

The former Hull man enjoyed a terrific, consistent campaign, finishing the season on double figures for both goals and assists. He was the top scorer with 18 goals across all competitions, and in fact, was the Englishman with the second most goal involvements in the league, behind only Harry Kane.

Unsung Hero: Craig Dawson

Dawson was once written off as Watford’s worst centre back; less than 2 years later, he was undeniably the leader in defence for Europa League semi-finalists.

The towering Englishman was a menace in the air, and a no-nonsense tough tackler, who stepped up at a time of crisis to lead the backline admirably. He arguably saved his best performances for Europe, for which he earned nicknames like “Dawsonaldo” and “Virgil van Dawson” from an adoring fanbase.

West Ham United’s Signing of the Season: Kurt Zouma

As mentioned, David Moyes chose not to bring too many new players in but chose to splurge significant cash on Champions League winner Zouma.

The French international immediately showed his class, and flashes of real solidity, if not brilliance when playing, but was plagued by injuries on the field and controversy off it. Nevertheless, with such little competition, he is perhaps the only real contender for the signing of the season.

West Ham’s Season Rating: 8/10

Ultimately, the Hammers ended the campaign in a well-deserved 7th, on 56 points, having scored 60 goals and conceded 51, for a rare positive goal difference.

That finish was good enough to secure a qualifying spot in next year’s Europa Conference League – a competition they’ll be among the favourites to win.  2021/22 was a season which promised and could have been more, but one which nonetheless shows just how far the club has come since flirting with relegation merely 2 years ago.

Looking forward to next year, the club will be aiming to continue their ascent to European aspirations (perhaps even the top 4) and to remain a contender on the continent.

This offseason is perhaps the most important in recent memory; beyond the desperate need to add quality squad depth, particularly in the spine positions, the most important business the club will look to do is keep Declan Rice, if not tie him down to an extended contract.

It’s an exciting time to be a West Ham fan, and hopefully, that will continue next season and well beyond.