Alphonse Areola has been impressed with how West Ham United’s new signings have adapted to life so far in east London and is ready to help the Club continue on an upward trajectory after what has been a positive start to the Premier League season.
The Hammers registered their first win of the 2024/25 campaign in fine style last weekend when they defeated London rivals Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park, keeping their first clean sheet in 20 top-flight matches, before overcoming a spirited AFC Bournemouth to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Next up for Julen Lopetegui’s charges is a home clash with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. The French goalkeeper admits the challenge in front of his team is clear, but is confident that victory is very much achievable, explaining the Irons have quality in abundance of their own.
“I think it's been quite a positive start to the season, because we've shown some great things,” said Areola. “It's still quite fresh with the arrival of the new coach, the new staff, and the new players, but you can feel that something is building. Now we just need to keep putting the effort into training during the week so that we can continue to perform and try to win more games than we did last season.
"It always great to keep a clean sheet because we waited a long time since our last one last season, so it's good to get it early in the season, and for the team, it brings a lot of confidence for future games.
“We know the quality that they [Manchester City] have, we know the squad and know the manager, but we have been working hard throughout the pre-season until now to be ready for this type of game as we want to be towards the top of the table.
"We know they are one of the top teams in the world, but we have the quality and the players to compete with them and have to play these type of games to show that West Ham can be in with the top European clubs.
"As a goalkeeper, you always think about the big games, and you have to be consistent in each game to be ready and focused during the week.”
Indeed, the Hammers have a new-look defence this season, with Maximilian Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all arriving in east London.
The trio, who have built a strong defensive partnership, will face its sternest test when they face one of the world’s best strikers, Erling Haaland, and their performance could be a marker for the rest of the season.
“He [Erling Haaland] has done very well in the past and until now, so it’s not just me who needs to be ready, it is the whole team. We will all be trying our best not to concede and then play our game to try and win," confirmed Areola.
“The adaptation [of the new signings] has been great. The atmosphere we have in the changing room is great, and we are always trying to help the new signings to really perform and to give their best.
“He [Maximilian Kilman] is someone very calm, but if he has something to say, then he will. His performances have been amazing and he was Man of the Match against Crystal Palace.
“We [Areola and Jean-Clair Todibo] get along very well, and we’ve got a very good relationship. He’s going to be good for the team too. He's a very ambitious player, someone who has everything it takes to make it in the Premier League. Now it's up to him to do the job, and we're going to help him to perform at his best. His leadership qualities are very strong. He's someone who's not afraid to say what he thinks, someone who's physically very strong.
"His leadership qualities are very strong. Of course, when you first join a group, it's difficult to find your place in the team. He's someone who's not afraid to say what he thinks, someone who's physically very strong. With the ball, of course he has qualities that I don't even need to explain to myself."
The 31-year-old was also delighted to welcome Edson Álvarez back into the team last weekend.
“It’s great to have him back [in the team]. I think his nickname “El Machin” says it all. He is always running everywhere and working hard for the team both on and off the ball. We need these types of players in our team to help recover the ball. He’s been great for us, and the best has yet to come.”
Areola is currently the Club’s No1 goalkeeper but is not taking his place lightly, embracing the prospect of strong competition for his place in the team from Łukasz Fabiański and Wes Foderingham.
“When I arrived here, the Club told me that we wanted to be a part of the best clubs in Europe, and we have achieved a lot of nice things together,” he added. “We won the [UEFA Europa] Conference League, which was a special moment, and have had a lot of great battles in the Premier League throughout the last few years. I think the Club is growing every day, and we want the Club to be up there [with the best].
“I’ve always had pressure on me from such a young age, but it’s important to always use that pressure as a positive thing to try and perform well as it’s what helps bring out your best.
“Łukasz is someone with a lot of experience, who has had a career to match. He's someone who's played for big clubs as well as for the Polish national team. He's someone who brings his experience to the younger players and to me too. It helps me to have someone like him alongside me.
"Wes [Wes Foderingham] has been another experienced addition, and it’s very good competition. The work is easier because we push each other, and, whether it's me or them, we want the team to perform and be where it deserves to be.”
