So here it is! The 2016-17 Premier League’s fixture list is now released, and the Hammers are surely going to have a tough time as they will be facing Chelsea in their opening fixture of the league and then Manchester City after 2 weeks.
It is safe to say that West Ham United’s Croatian boss is preparing to build and invincible army of the Hammers. The side ended their previous campaign in the 7th spot and thanks to Manchester United’s FA cup triumph, the London side will now be hosting the European nights in their new Olympic Stadium.
Bilic has already secured the services of the Norwegian international, Havard Nordtveit, who arrived on a free transfer from the German side Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 25-year-old defensive midfielder is expected to be a great signing for the Hammers as he has a pretty good experience of playing in Europe.
The other star who followed the Norwegian international to the Olympic stadium is the Algerian sensation, Sofiane Feghouli. The 26-year-old recently completed his move from the Spanish side Valencia on a free transfer and signed a three-year-deal with West Ham.
Feghouli started his club career with the French side Grenoble, after Paris Saint-Germain declined to sign him after a trial. He went on to play 4 years with the side before signing in for Valencia in 2010. After making just 5 appearances in his debut season with the side, he was sent on loan to Almeria.
After returning back to Valencia, he became a regular starter for the side as the club had to face the departure of David Silva and Juan Mata due to their financial crisis. Feghouli wasn’t the most consistent performers in the side, but his industrious work rate caught the eyes of Liverpool and Manchester United at one point of his career.
The 26-year-old is usually deployed on the wings, but can also operate the game from the center, i.e, attacking midfield, but that position is likely to be taken by Dimitri Payet without any doubt, so the Algerian will surely be playing as a winger for Bilic.
On the wings, the Hammers usually played Lanzini and Antonio, so it is safe to say that one of them have to see a cut in their playing time due to the Algerian’s arrival. Feghouli is a pacy winger and can scare many defenders in the Premier League, but he might find it hard to compete against the likes of Walker and Bellerin as both of them can easily cut the comedy for the Algerian in pace.
Feghouli is a typical winger, who loves to track his run close to the touchline to launch a sensational cross, but sometimes he also prefers to cut inside the half to take a shot. Feghouli scored just five goals last season and that explains that he is not the most prolific figure in front of the goal, but being a winger, he can be an absolute threat and the likes of Carroll and Sakho can surely convert his crosses.
West Ham have found a gem to add to their side, it can be easily said that Feghouli is a starter for the Hammers.