Despite being West Ham United women’s team’s top scorer across all competitions this term, Viviane Asseyi believes the best is yet to come from her in Claret and Blue.
Since joining the Club in the summer of 2022 from Frauen-Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, the 31-year-old has never looked back.
Her reliability and dependability are clear. Asseyi has featured in every Barclays Women’s Super League match since her arrival, scoring 23 goals in that time.
This campaign, the France international has nine goals to her name, with five coming in the WSL, and has already eclipsed her best scoring campaign at West Ham.
The attacker was on target in Rehanne Skinner’s side’s last game – a 3-1 success at home to fifth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion. The victory was crucial for the Hammers as it moved them up to eighth in the standings and saw them bounce back from their Subway® Women’s League Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Chelsea eleven days prior.
Asseyi was the scorer of the Irons’ third goal, which she made herself. She was hauled down in the box midway through the second half, leaving referee Stacey Pearson with no choice but to point to the spot.
Pressure was on the shoulders of Asseyi, who was also clinical from 12 yards against Everton in January. Score, and her side would gain a two-goal cushion. Miss, and Brighton’s tails would rise. She made no mistake, sending goalkeeper Melina Loeck the wrong way.
“The win against Brighton was good, it was good to bounce back with a victory, which was really important for us,” said Asseyi.
“The quality of the players around me helps me, everyone brings a good energy. We have a great group and you can see on the pitch, when we all work together we are all really good.
“I still think I can be better because I have a lot of situations where I can score or do something better. But I always give everything, I always want to give everything for the Club because I think it deserves a lot. The Club has given me a lot, so for me, it’s my job to give back with assists and goals.”
Three attackers who Skinner deployed during the 90 minutes against the Seagulls were summer arrivals: Shekiera Martinez, Manuela Paví and second-half substitute Seraina Piubel. But despite how new-look the Hammers’ front line is, with Germany U23 international Martinez having only made her WSL debut in January, they are showing signs that they have been playing alongside one another for years.
“The connection between the attackers is good,” Asseyi revealed. “Of course, it could improve even more, and we’ll keep working on that. All of us talk a lot. Shekiera only made her debut in January, so it takes time to build up that connection, but we all understand football so it’s easy to play together. Everyone is shining and you can see that on the field.”
Viviane Asseyi's favourites...
Artist
Rihanna. I loved her performance at the Super Bowl a few years ago.
Box set or TV series
I watch a lot of Netflix. I’d say Desperate Housewives but at the moment I’m watching the second series of Squid Game.
Phone app
X (Twitter). French Twitter is so funny!
Computer game
I play FIFA, Call Of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. [Manuela] Paví is very good at FIFA, she plays every day.
Holiday destination
The Maldives. I’ve been there a few times and it’s really nice.
Other sport to watch
I really like watching basketball and tennis. I’ve been to Roland Garros once and this year I really want to go!
Sports star
Zinedine Zidane was my idol when I was growing up, but I was also a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Teammate
That’s such a hard one! No way, I can’t pick one – everyone!
Ground to play at
I’d say it’s probably Old Trafford because of its history, and I was just like ‘wow’ when playing there.
Match you’ve been to watch
I’d have to say Real Madrid versus Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final last season, in London. I sat in the Real Madrid end, and it was amazing.
Match you’ve played in
This is a hard one. Even though we lost, I’d say the 2019 Women’s World Cup quarter-final against the USA. It was in France and played in front of all of my family. It was a proud moment for me.
Meal
Pasta carbonara – so good!
Karaoke song
Hello, by Beyoncé, because it’s my favourite song.
