Top 5 players West Ham must upgrade for Champions League football

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Andy Carroll (2nd L) of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Andy Carroll (2nd L) of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 19: Andy Carroll (2nd L) of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 19: Andy Carroll (2nd L) of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

If West Ham are going to be a factor in next year’s Champions League, they need to upgrade these five players

Other than Leicester City, the Premier League’s biggest surprise this season has been the performance of West Ham. Slaven Bilic’s club sits just one point behind Manchester City for the all important fourth spot in the Premier League. If they can overtake Manchester City, the Hammers will find themselves in next year’s Champions League.

While qualifying for the Champions League would universally thrill West Ham’s passionate fan base, it would necessitate big changes at the club. The Hammers will need to splash some serious cash if they want to be a serious competitor in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Fortunately for West Ham, rumors are already flying about how much money they’re willing to spend this summer. Most of those stories focus on the club’s search for a dominant centre-forward, but other positions will need attention as well.

West Ham still have work to do if they’re going to crash next season’s Champions League party, but they need to start planning for their success now. Here are five players the Hammers must upgrade to achieve relevance on the world’s grandest stage.

Next: 5. Pedro Obiang