Ian Abrahams shares verdict on West Ham Champions League chances after defeat v Sevilla
Ian Abrahams believes West Ham have ‘blown’ their chance of Champions League football through a top four finish in the Premier League.
The Hammers currently sit in sixth place in the table, three points behind Arsenal having played three games more and two points above Spurs having played two games more.
After suffering defeat in their Europa League last 16 first leg clash with Sevilla, Moose was speaking on talkSPORT [March 11, 6:40am] when he said that Europe was ‘absolutely’ the best chance West Ham have of playing Champions League football next season.
“It’s the only chance [of getting Champions League football],” he said. “They’ve got no chance of finishing top four. That’s a flippant thing to say they’ve got no chance, of course they’ve got a chance, if Arsenal and Spurs lose all their games, West Ham have a chance.
“I don’t think West Ham are in the running for top four, I think it’s between Arsenal and Spurs. I think United are in the same boat as West Ham, they’ve played more games and they’ll have an opportunity to secure some points but they’ve blown it.
“I think West Ham’s real chance is via the Europa League absolutely. I think after last night they’re still in with a chance of creating a little bit of history next Thursday and keeping the dream alive.
“But there is no doubt, and last night would’ve shown it, that in the summer this squad absolutely needs attending to.”
Rough truth
It seems as though the chances of qualifying for the Champions League for next season through the Premier League are incredibly slim now.
Arsenal are flying, Tottenham are finding their groove under Antonio Conte and Manchester United still have a stronger squad despite their inconsistent form, leaving the Hammers with a mountain to climb.
That makes the Europa League campaign even more important now, with the winner of the tournament awarded a place in the Champions League next season.
They will have to overcome six-time winners Sevilla at the London Stadium next week after defeat in the first leg, but they performed well enough in Spain to know that they are more than capable of doing so.
Moose’s claims that they have ‘no chance’ in the league may seem harsh, but it’s realistic and he’s spot on that the best chance we have of making it into the elite competition next year is by winning this trophy.
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