Before one attempts to answer the question of whether West Ham United has any possibility of participating in next year’s UEFA Champions League, it is pertinent to note and analyze what is happening at the upper part of the table of the English Premier League. It is plausible to assume that with the investments made to solidify and strengthen the team aimed at making it more competitive, the owners of the club, the coaching staff, players, and supporters are all eager and willing to see their team, West Ham United, finishing at least at the first four places in the Premier League. This will enable the team to participate in next year’s UEFA Champions League.

If this had to happen, it would be the first time that West Ham United will be playing and participating in this important and prestigious European competition. Besides the financial benefits, West Ham United would be competing with the elite of European football clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Milan AC, Paris St. Germain and other top teams from European Leagues emanating from Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Scotland, Greece, Sweden, etc.

It will not be an easy task for West Ham United to ensure a place in next year’s UEFA Champions League considering the strong and more experienced teams vying to a place in the four top places in the Premier League. The likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspurs, and Arsenal are all well placed to finish at the top of the Premier League. The most trusted new betting sites are not listing West Ham in the top 4 spots of the EPL Table, but time will tell.

The current champions Manchester City are aiming at winning the Premier League title once again. Their recent performances in England as well as in Europe have clearly shown that they are the main contenders to win this year’s Premiership title. Manchester City is also highly ranked to win this year’s UEFA Champions League competition.

Under the managership of Pep Guardiola, the Spanish football wizard, Manchester City has during these last few years emerged from the shadows of their rivals such as Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea, to become a football force to be reckoned with. Having top players like Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Benjamin Mendy, it comes as no surprise that the team is so powerful. Their recent stellar signing, Jack Grealish, has added further talent and striking power to make Manchester City almost sure favourites to win this year’s Premier League title.

The Blues from London, Chelsea Football Club, are also a hard nut to crack. Chelsea who incidentally are last year’s winners of the UEFA Champions League is a compact team composed of skilful and talented players. The recruitment of Thomas Tuchel as their manager has brought wonders and better fortunes for Chelsea. The coming of Tuchel, who previously managed Paris St. Germain, changed the spirit and mentality of Chelsea’s players and instilled in them the required confidence and assurance of their capability to face and overcome any opponents. The team which plays its home football at Stamford Bridge is currently 3rd in the Premier League, trailing Manchester City and Liverpool.

The Blues are also competing in this year’s UEFA Champions League. They need to ensure and maintain at least their current position in the Premier League to qualify for next year’s UEFA Champions League.

Although no team can relax and depend on its past achievements, Chelsea can rest assured of playing top European football next year when one considers the talent they have in the team. Players like Romelu Lukaku, Antonio Rudiger, Kai Havertz, and Thiago Silva can make a lot of difference and can be decisive factors for Chelsea to once again reach the zenith of success this year.

Liverpool Football Club has always been the team to beat in the Premier League. The Merseyside team won the Premier League title a few years ago. They also won the UEFA Champions League on more than one occasion. Supported by their fanatic “The Kop” and under the guidance of their German general Jurgen Klopp, the team currently stands at second place in the Premier League. They are still competing in this year’s UEFA Champions League.

Chanting their mantra “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, Liverpool Football Club will surely give Manchester City and Chelsea a run for their money in their bid to win the Premier League title. With Liverpool having top players like Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane, Virgil Van Dyke, and Fabinho they are sure of finishing at least at the top four of the Premier League. This does not exclude their standing ambition to regain the UEFA Champions League title this year.

Manchester United is also aiming to finish at least fourth place in the Premier League. Finishing fourth will provide; Manchester United to again participate in next year’s UEFA Champions League. The Reds can boast of having some of the most talented players around in the like of the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo a never-ending scoring machine, Paul Pogba, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford. On paper, the Red Devils appear to have to perfect recipe to make it through the process and secure a place in next year’s UEFA Champions League, but yet again the question lingers, is it time for yet another manager at Manchester United?

Outsiders like Tottenham Hotspurs under the guidance of the Italian energetic coach, Antonio Conte; Leicester City and Arsenal have a slim chance of reaching at least fourth place and securing a place in next year’s UEFA Champions League. However, given the inconsistency of their play this year it is unlikely that this will happen.

Where does all this leave West Ham United? So far, the team has faired quite well and is playing collective and very attractive football. The coaching staff has managed to mentally cast the winning spirit in the players and motivate them enough to overcome any opponent and whoever that opponent is. West Ham United needs to continue in their winning mode and strive harder especially against direct opposition like Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspurs, and Leicester City if they want to secure a place in next year’s UEFA Champions League.

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