David Moyes insists West Ham are now stronger than they were when they won last season's Uefa Conference League – despite the loss of captain and star player Declan Rice.
England midfielder Rice was inspirational as the Hammers ended a 43-year wait for a major trophy by beating Fiorentina in last season's final.
It proved his last act in a West Ham shirt as he promptly sealed a £105 million move to London rivals Arsenal. Moyes wasted no time in reinvesting the club record fee, signing the likes of James Ward-Prowse from relegated Southampton and Ajax duo Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus.
Despite a poor league campaign last term, their Conference League success earned the Hammers a place in this season's Europa League, and Moyes' new-look side begin their quest for more European silverware when they face Serbian league leaders Backa Topola in Group A at the London Stadium on Thursday.