The midfielder is upbeat about the future of West Ham
On the morning of what could be Alex Song’s first start for West Ham United since returning for a second spell in east London, the midfielder described his “unfinished business” with the claret and blues.
With Mark Noble suspended having picked up a fifth booking last weekend, Song is a contender to fill the gap left by the captain.
Speaking to the Sunday Times ahead of the Hammers’ fixture with West Bromwich Albion, Song said: “It was easy for me to come back. Coming back to West Ham is a big challenge, which is why I had to do it. I was very happy here last season so that’s why I came back to West Ham.”
When Song first signed for the Club in the summer of 2014 it was hailed as a major coup, and it wasn’t long before the Cameroonian international won over the West Ham faithful with a series of dominating performances.
Now, back following a lengthy spell on the side-lines through injury, Song is more motivated than ever to impress the fans once more.
However he stated that he is willing to be patient after such a long time out, he continued: “It is my first time coming back from such a long time out so I will be patient; I have to take it step by step.
“When I am 100% I know what is coming, for sure I am confident in myself. So I won’t rush, if the manager gives me another ten minutes today then I will take it. But I know that when I am ready I will fly.
“It might take a while to get there, that is fine with me because I want the fans to see the best Alex Song there is. I don’t want them to see the player from the second half of last year; this is why I am here. This is my challenge; I have unfinished business.”
While Song’s heart always looked set on a return to the Boleyn Ground after his loan finished last year, it was his wife Olivia who finally convinced him that West Ham was the best place for him and his family.
He explained: “It was my wife who first said ‘Go to West Ham’. I had options from clubs in the Champions League but she knew how much I had enjoyed it here last season. We both love London and so do my kids so it was easy really.
“I already wanted to come here, but she was the one who helped me make my mind up. She knows we better than I know myself, definitely!”
With Mark Noble suspended having picked up a fifth booking last weekend, Song is a contender to fill the gap left by the captain.
Speaking to the Sunday Times ahead of the Hammers’ fixture with West Bromwich Albion, Song said: “It was easy for me to come back. Coming back to West Ham is a big challenge, which is why I had to do it. I was very happy here last season so that’s why I came back to West Ham.”
When Song first signed for the Club in the summer of 2014 it was hailed as a major coup, and it wasn’t long before the Cameroonian international won over the West Ham faithful with a series of dominating performances.
Now, back following a lengthy spell on the side-lines through injury, Song is more motivated than ever to impress the fans once more.
However he stated that he is willing to be patient after such a long time out, he continued: “It is my first time coming back from such a long time out so I will be patient; I have to take it step by step.
“When I am 100% I know what is coming, for sure I am confident in myself. So I won’t rush, if the manager gives me another ten minutes today then I will take it. But I know that when I am ready I will fly.
“It might take a while to get there, that is fine with me because I want the fans to see the best Alex Song there is. I don’t want them to see the player from the second half of last year; this is why I am here. This is my challenge; I have unfinished business.”
While Song’s heart always looked set on a return to the Boleyn Ground after his loan finished last year, it was his wife Olivia who finally convinced him that West Ham was the best place for him and his family.
He explained: “It was my wife who first said ‘Go to West Ham’. I had options from clubs in the Champions League but she knew how much I had enjoyed it here last season. We both love London and so do my kids so it was easy really.
“I already wanted to come here, but she was the one who helped me make my mind up. She knows we better than I know myself, definitely!”
Listening to the former Arsenal and Barcelona man, his positivity is infectious while his on-pitch style – gloves with rolled up shorts – is as unique as his manner is off the pitch.
If his boots today are anything to go by, he could be back with a bang – or rather ‘pow’: “I’ve always wanted to achieve as much possible, Arsenal did well when I was there, as did Barcelona, now it is West Ham’s time.
“I was fortunate with the opportunities I have had, joining Arsenal at 17, getting the opportunity to play for Barcelona and now West Ham, they are all privileges.
“Whenever I’m on the pitch I just want to give my best. I want to make the fans happy and play with a smile on my face. When I was at Arsenal and Barcelona, even if we lost, we played with an identity, a style.
“In football, mistakes are going to happen, but as long as what you were trying to do is good, then it is worth the risk. That is very important for me.”
While Song is clearly in a positive frame of mind at the moment, he is just as animated about the Club’s future as he is about his own.
“The way the Club want to be and the way they want to go is unbelievable. The next stage is the new stadium, then the new players. This has already started with Lanzini and Payet, Mauro is back after being away last season and I think this is just the start.
“This season we have to finish very well, the new manager has set very high standards for what we want to achieve. So if you have the right manager, the players and the fans then you have all that you need to succeed and West Ham has got all of those things. That is the right environment for the team, and then it is down to us to perform.
“Next season I am sure more good players will come in. For me, I am sure that in the five years’ time West Ham will fight for first place. We are talking about five years’ time, but I am sure, the future will be very, very great.”
If his boots today are anything to go by, he could be back with a bang – or rather ‘pow’: “I’ve always wanted to achieve as much possible, Arsenal did well when I was there, as did Barcelona, now it is West Ham’s time.
“I was fortunate with the opportunities I have had, joining Arsenal at 17, getting the opportunity to play for Barcelona and now West Ham, they are all privileges.
“Whenever I’m on the pitch I just want to give my best. I want to make the fans happy and play with a smile on my face. When I was at Arsenal and Barcelona, even if we lost, we played with an identity, a style.
“In football, mistakes are going to happen, but as long as what you were trying to do is good, then it is worth the risk. That is very important for me.”
While Song is clearly in a positive frame of mind at the moment, he is just as animated about the Club’s future as he is about his own.
“The way the Club want to be and the way they want to go is unbelievable. The next stage is the new stadium, then the new players. This has already started with Lanzini and Payet, Mauro is back after being away last season and I think this is just the start.
“This season we have to finish very well, the new manager has set very high standards for what we want to achieve. So if you have the right manager, the players and the fans then you have all that you need to succeed and West Ham has got all of those things. That is the right environment for the team, and then it is down to us to perform.
“Next season I am sure more good players will come in. For me, I am sure that in the five years’ time West Ham will fight for first place. We are talking about five years’ time, but I am sure, the future will be very, very great.”