There is absolutely no doubt in Seraina Piubel’s mind that joining West Ham United women’s team was the best decision she could have made in the summer.
The 24-year-old could have been forgiven for feeling nervous when signing for the Hammers in September, as her move from FC Zürich brought an end to a ten-year stay at the club she has supported since she was a child.
The attack-minded midfielder admitted her first few months in England were a learning curve, but now she is thriving playing in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
After gradually being embedded into Rehanne Skinner’s side - with her first league start in Claret and Blue coming against Arsenal on 20 October - Piubel has started eleven of the Hammers’ last 12 matches in the WSL.
Having scored three goals and chalked up two assists in all competitions, the Switzerland international - during a break in the league fixtures - has had time to reflect on her first six months in England’s top flight.
“Time has gone so fast!” she exclaimed. “But I like it here so much, it’s lovely; the team, London, everything’s very good.
“I think it's [playing in the WSL] different to [playing in] Switzerland. It's different, but it's better. We play against good teams, but we have the chance [to beat them]. We can score goals against very good teams and that makes the league very competitive.
“It was the perfect step to come to West Ham because the Club is a family club. I had that for a long time in Zürich, so for me it was the best option and the best opportunity. It was the best decision!
“I want to help the team, of course. I want to score more goals and make more assists. But as a team, to get points, I think that's the most important thing.
“I think it can be difficult with weekends with no games, but I think we’ve trained a lot and trained on our weaknesses. So we're looking forward to the games coming up.”
Piubel arrived at Chadwell Heath speaking limited English but by talking to the Club’s staff and her teammates, has picked up the language naturally - and is also able to speak in German with Amber Tysiak, Shekiera Martinez, Viviane Asseyi and Verena Hanshaw.
She said: “I understand more than I can speak. Sometimes I speak even if it's wrong or right, but people understand me, that's important!
“I think the hardest time was the first two months [after signing], to find a flat and all those small things. But now I’m here and I’m an English girl! When I have a problem, I can talk to anyone here and they help me.”
With only six games left of the Hammers’ 2024/25 campaign, Piubel is determined to continue to deliver more impressive performances to give her the best chance of making Pia Sundhage’s Switzerland UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 squad - which will be held in her home country.
Piubel’s Switzerland are in Group A, alongside Finland, Iceland and Norway and their first game is against the latter on Wednesday 2 July.
“It's a very special year for us Swiss girls, a home European Championship is a big thing,” said Piubel.
“We're looking forward to it, playing in our home country and I’ll do everything I can to go to it.
“I hope it can be a big thing for the whole country because women's football in Switzerland is not so big, but I think that can change. I think Switzerland is perfect for young women and young girls."
