Former West Ham United Head Coach Alan Pardew has tipped the club to challenge the top six this season, despite their disappointing start to the campaign.
The Hammers were beaten 5-0 by the current Premier League Champions at the London Stadium on Saturday, as they were unable to get their season off to a positive start.
Despite that, former West Ham boss Pardew claims that the club can have a really successful year following their activity in the transfer market.
Speaking on Goals on Sunday, he feels the Hammers can push towards the top six if they can bounce back from Saturday’s defeat and gain some early momentum.
“That was a tough draw at home against Man City, that’s probably the last thing he needed and for them to actually score five was a big blow,” Pardew told Sky Sports show Goals on Sunday.
“So they’ve got a tough week when it comes to getting some momentum behind them, but if they get that momentum they’re one of the few clubs that can challenge that group at the top.”
Last season West Ham finished in a respectable 10th place, as Manuel Pellegrini led the club to a top half berth.
The Hammers were just five points off seventh place, which would have seen the club reach the Europe League qualifiers at the start of the current season.
Pardew is confident that West Ham are now able to challenge for a European spot this campaign, mainly down to their summer arrivals in the transfer window.
Pellegrini broke the club’s transfer record with the signing of striker Sebastien Haller, as well as bringing in Pablo Fornals, Albian Ajeti and Gonçalo Cardoso.
If those players can make a positive impact at the London Stadium, it could lead to West Ham improving on last season and challenging the top six.