What can this West Ham side achieve in their upcoming campaign?

This has to be one of the most exciting times in recent West Ham history, but with the start of the Premier League less than a month away, we’ve identified two areas that Slaven Bilic and his board need to address before the new season gets underway.

European football

Champions League football is the target. The money is there, the new stadium is there, and the squad is certainly on its way.

But how does Bilic achieve that goal this season?

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all missed out on joining up with Europe’s elite, stressing just how difficult a top four spot is to achieve in the Premier League.

Perhaps another route to Champions League football for the Hammers in that case could be via the Europa League.

Seen by many as a distraction to domestic football, the Europa League offers its winner the prize of competing in the biggest club event of all, and therefore shouldn’t be ignored.

Players

Their owners haven’t shied away from their intentions in this summer’s transfer window, with bids in excess of £25m being tabled for some of Europe’s deadliest forwards.

And with only three teams scoring more than the Hammers last season, it’s scary to think what this team could achieve with a new man up-front.

West Ham drew more games than any Premier League side last year, so signing an out-and-out goalscorer has to be Bilic’s priority in this transfer window if he is to turn those draws into wins.

Elsewhere, following the departure of James Tomkins, it’s in defence where West Ham look short.

But the arrival of Sofiane Feghouli on a free from Valencia will do no harm in stabilising a defence which shipped 51 goals last term.

One more big name at the back to tighten up their defence should make Adrian’s job in goal a lot easier this season.

While 8/1 on the Hammers to finish in the top four looks appealing, 25/1 on Bilic’s boys winning the Europa League has to be where the value is.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.