Key Points
- West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola celebrates passing 100 games for the club.
- Areola joined West Ham in July 2021 from Paris Saint-Germain.
- Holds honours including French and Spanish league titles, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France.
- Played a role in West Ham’s Europa Conference League win in 2023, their first trophy in 43 years.
- Praises new Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo’s positive impact since taking over two months ago.
- West Ham recently recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since February.
- Despite successes, West Ham currently sit in the Premier League relegation zone.
- The team travels to face Bournemouth in their upcoming Premier League fixture.
What did Alphonse Areola say about reaching 100 games for West Ham?
As reported by West Ham’s official website, Areola expressed a deep sense of pride at reaching his 100th Premier League start, achieved against Leeds United. He stated,
“I was really proud to make my 100th Premier League start against Leeds United, and to pass 100 appearances for West Ham, as I’ve only ever made 100 appearances for one other club – Paris Saint-Germain.”
Areola highlighted his commitment to maintaining high performance standards, adding:
“We’ve done lots of good things in the past here at West Ham, and now we have to push to get to that level again. It’s what we are aiming for.”
He further emphasised his competitive drive:
“As a competitor, you just want to be playing in the best competitions, and we are doing everything we can to bring back those special moments for the Club.”
What has been Areola’s career path before and since joining West Ham?
David Moyes signed Areola from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in July 2021, according to various sources including official club communications. Before coming to East London, Areola amassed impressive honours including winning the French Ligue 1 title, Spanish La Liga, and was part of France’s 2018 FIFA World Cup-winning squad.
Since joining West Ham, Areola has made over 100 appearances, a milestone indicative of his regular role as the first-choice goalkeeper. Notably, he played a significant part in West Ham’s successful 2022-23 Europa Conference League campaign, where they defeated Fiorentina 2-1 in the final, securing the club’s first trophy in over four decades.
How does Alphonse Areola view the impact of Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo?
West Ham’s official site and related reports cite Areola praising the influence of Nuno Espírito Santo since his appointment as Head Coach two months ago.
“You’re continually learning and evolving under Nuno Espírito Santo,” Areola remarked. “He was a goalkeeper as a player, and it’s good to have him here.”
Areola described Nuno’s coaching style and expectations:
“He’s giving his ideas to the players, and he wants the players to perform well and to give everything on the pitch.”
Highlighting the coach’s motivational impact, he added:
“He wants us to be proud of ourselves, to be proud of the team we have and to fight for everything, to compete for the team and get results.”
Areola also reflected on the advantage Nuno’s goalkeeping background brings:
“He’s not been here for a long time, but I think it’s good that he has that experience with the keepers, so he understands more what we have to do and can tell us what he wants us to do.”
What is West Ham’s current Premier League situation amid Areola’s milestone?
Despite recent positive signs with consecutive wins, West Ham currently find themselves in the Premier League relegation zone, as confirmed by recent league tables and match reports.
They are preparing to face an in-form Bournemouth side in an away match this Saturday, a critical fixture in their attempt to climb out of the drop zone.
What have been West Ham’s recent performances under Nuno Espírito Santo?
Recent media coverage highlights that under Nuno Espírito Santo’s leadership, West Ham recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since February, signalling a potential turning point in their season.
Areola himself emphasised the team’s ongoing development:
“We’re continually learning and evolving under Nuno Espírito Santo.”
Such improvements may be crucial for the club’s fight to improve their league standing as the season progresses.
