West Ham news: Pundit can’t believe ‘crushing’ transfer blow as David Moyes fumes
West Ham will still have an “advantage” in the transfer market despite missing out on Europa League football, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Europa Conference League qualification will be a “real bargaining chip” for David Moyes this summer.
West Ham surrendered a first-half lead to lose 3-1 away at Brighton on Sunday (22 May) – missing their chance to gazump Man United to a sixth-place finish after the Red Devils lost at Crystal Palace.
As quoted by The Guardian (22 May), Moyes insisted he is “not happy” with his players – and warned them he “won’t have them if they’re going to play like that”.
West Ham will start their Europa Conference League campaign in the play-off rounds in mid-August.
Whelan urged the Irons to “spend some money” in order to capitalise on what is a “really strong nucleus” this summer.
“Moyes was obviously very disappointed, and he let his emotions get the better of him,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“But I don’t think it’s going to be that crushing of a blow, to miss out on the Europa League.
“They’re still going to have an advantage over the clubs in that same pool. They’re the only side outside the top six to have European football – that is a real bargaining chip.
“It has been another amazing season for West Ham. The players and Moyes should be very proud of themselves looking back on this season.
“They’ve got a really strong nucleus.
“It’s now time to build on that by spending some money in the summer and continue this success.”
In other news, defender set to quit West Ham after major development.