Defensive stalwart Maximilian Kilman is determined to use his experience and leadership qualities to help guide West Ham United to a successful Premier League return away at Newcastle United.
The Hammers get back underway in the top-flight up in the North East in the Monday evening kick-off, looking to register a second win on their travels this campaign, and boost their current 14th-place standing.
A summer arrival in east London, Kilman has slotted seamlessly into Julen Lopetegui’s back line in the first part of 2024/25, completing the full 90 minutes of each of the team’s 13 outings in all competitions so far, having been just one of two outfield players involved in every minute of league action at old club Wolverhampton Wanderers last term.
Though he isn’t expecting an easy task under the lights on Tyneside, against Eddie Howe’s ninth-placed Magpies, our No26 is hoping to channel his consistency and reliability to power the Irons to all three points.
“St James’ Park is always a tough place to go, and their support is really good, so it’s going to be tough,” the 27-year-old said. “But we’re really looking forward to it.
“These are the kinds of games and atmospheres you want to be part of, and I think it’s the kind of match where we can really push on. Our next two games (against Newcastle and Arsenal) are huge, and we know if we can get good results a lot will change. That’s our plan, and what we’re looking to do.
“Hopefully I can be a big part of driving that on. We’ve got an experienced and quality squad, and we all want to achieve more. Making sure I’m fit, available and able to contribute has always been big for me, and for sure I’m ready to help the team improve and get the rewards we want.”
While Kilman was one of nine new signings at West Ham ahead of 2024/25, his capture dealt him a return to his London roots and reunited him with his former Wolves boss Lopetegui, who himself was appointed following the conclusion of last season.
Off the back of such change, Kilman acknowledges that everyone has taken some time to adjust to the new set-up but is positive about how the team is gelling, particularly in his defensive quarters where he is working closely with the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo and Dinos Mavropanos.
He added: “It always takes time when new players and a new manager come together. It’s maybe taken a bit longer than we would have liked, but we have a really good squad and an exciting way that we want to play.
“I worked under him [Lopetegui] at Wolves, and he’s a great manager with a great reputation, so I’m loving working under him again. And I’m really enjoying working with all my teammates, too.
“It’s JC’s [Todibo] first season in the Premier League, but he’s come in and handled it well, and with Dinos as well we have a really strong line-up. I’m fully settled and enjoying it, and we all just want to keep our heads down and keep working to make sure that the points come as we head towards what’s going to be a busy period.”
