Chicharito aiming high under Manuel Pellegrini


Chicharito says the sky is the limit for West Ham United this season under new manager Manuel Pellegrini.

The Mexico striker returned to the Hammers with a bang last week, scoring the only goal of the game to defeat Angers SCO in his team’s final pre-season workout.

Chicharito enjoyed his first taste of training with Pellegrini at the helm as he settled into the Hammers’ camp in Austria, saying the former Manchester City boss will get the best out of him and his teammates.

He said: “Manuel Pellegrini is a great manager. He went to Spain, then he came here to the Premier League and he did really well. I’m not saying anything new there, he’s a great manager and we’re very happy that he chose to come here.

“The manager wants to play a more controlled, offensive style of play so it’s perfect for a striker. Chances are going to come and we are improving to defend better too, to press and recover the ball in a high zone.

“That will make it more difficult for our opponents to get to our goal, so it has been very good so far.
 

Chicharito in training


“The Club is doing well with improvements in all the areas, in the team, but also in all the staff they have brought in with the manager.

“Top six, top four is the aim, as high as we can. I’m a dreamer. I work hard and my thoughts are always positive. I am always aiming as high as I can and if we can put West Ham in the Champions League why not? That’s the dream, that’s the idea and hopefully we can get it.”

Chicharito scored eight goals for the Hammers last season, but is determined to better that tally and repay Pellegrini for his faith in him.

He added: “The manager called me before the World Cup because he knew my situation was difficult at the end of last season, and he made me feel very good.

“He told me I was going to be an important player and would play an important role in this team, so he gave me a lot of confidence.

“I’m very motivated and I know I need to work hard to win a place in the starting line-up and then perform as well as I can to help the team with goals, assists and good performances to get the points to move up the table.”