Ben Johnson wants to push himself further both on and off the pitch as West Ham United prepare to face Aston Villa on Sunday.
Since making his Premier League debut against Manchester City in 2019, the Academy graduate has already become an important player in Claret and Blue.
During recent seasons, Johnson says that the positive environment in and around the training ground has been the key to the team's success.
And now he wants to be part of the current crop of players to step up after the departure of experienced figures last summer – including his mentor Mark Noble – and help the Club return to winning ways in the league at Villa Park.
“We still have strong leaders,” stated Johnson. “It’s an opportunity for Declan as the skipper, and we still have Cresswell and Angelo, who was out for a while, coming back.
“It is a chance for me to step up too. I think now is the time to establish myself on and off the pitch and try and help as many of my teammates as possible, whether they are older or younger than me.
“It’s more responsibility – but it’s a challenge that’s going to help me in life after football.
“It’s something I need to relish.”
While Johnson is looking ahead, it is important to note he has already shown a willingness to step up for his club this campaign.
The Hammers No2 has not only appeared in all three league matches this season, but also displayed impressive versatility when called upon in those fixtures.
Since Nayef Aguerd and Craig Dawson were injured, the 22-year-old filled in at centre-back against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, before the signing of Thilo Kehrer allowed him to return to full-back against Brighton & Hove Albion and Viborg FF.
Johnson stated that playing 'out-of-position' at centre-back was a 'tough' experience, but one that taught him a lot.
“Trying to learn a new position when you are at the business end – there’s no room for mistakes, errors or excuses,” he said. “Wherever the manager puts me he trusts me - he relies on me to play well.
“Playing in that different position has helped me with understanding the game more – and knowing where to be. You have to talk to everyone.
"It is a huge responsibility [playing at centre-back], so hopefully, that helps me in the next years [of my career].”
Johnson did return to the right-hand side in Thursday's second leg against Viborg FF and was one of many impressive Hammers on show in Denmark as we secured our place in the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage with a 6-1 win on aggregate.
Although there are many more European nights to look forward to, the focus is quickly back on the domestic schedule.
And Johnson remains confident the Hammers can transition that European form to Villa Park – a place where he netted the opener in our 4-1 win last campaign.
“You’ve got to think of the positives,” he said. “People will say [the results] are concerning but it’s only the start of the season, we have lots of games coming up.
“We’ve got a great group of players as you’ve seen over the last two seasons. Hopefully, we can just get back to the levels that we were at last year.
“We are trying to rectify it as quick as possible.”
