West Ham United defender Emerson takes on questions submitted by supporters, discussing the best trophy he’s lifted, why the No33 shirt is so special to him and how he’d be a professional gamer if he wasn’t a footballer…
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Of the major trophies you’ve won, which was your favourite? Lucas
It’s hard to say which one specifically because I like all the trophies I’ve won! I will say the UEFA Euro 2020 championship because when you play for your country, I think the feeling is a bit different.
How hard is it to adapt to the new ideas and philosophies brought to the team by a new manager? Len
We’ve played football all our lives, so we know how to play football. It’s just the different ideas between one manager and another. For example, some managers like to play more direct, and some like to play with a more possession-based game.
I think it doesn’t take long to adapt. It’s just about changing the small details. Of course, in the first days it’s a bit hard, but I think it doesn’t take too long to adapt because in the end it’s football, and we know how to play football.
Do you prefer pizza or pasta, and what is your favourite dish? Jack Masser
Both are good, but I think I prefer pasta because you can eat it two or three times a week. I’d say my favourite is carbonara.
Which of the goals you have scored is your favourite? Jake Waters
I would say against Arsenal earlier this season because it was the first free-kick I’ve scored in my career, and it was a nice goal.
I don’t score a lot of goals. I scored when I was with Roma in the UEFA Europa League against Villarreal with my right foot, and also with Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League against Atlético Madrid.
Who are the top three toughest opponents you’ve come up against? Mykil Wylsin
I’ve played against a lot of good players throughout my career. I’ll say Mohamed Salah, Lionel Messi and Kevin De Bruyne.
What’s your favourite video game? Michael Marshall
I play FIFA on my PlayStation. I’m a big fan of FIFA Ultimate Team.
Do you have any pets? Jess Gibbs
When I was a kid in Brazil, I had a dog. I like dogs a lot, but now it’s hard to have a pet at home because I have three kids, so it’s too busy.
What’s your favourite sport other than football? Eleanor Selby
I will say basketball. I like to watch the NBA (National Basketball Association). I also just play it sometimes on PlayStation, but that’s not in real life.
What’s your favourite cheat meal? Matthew Woodhead
I like sushi. When we have a day off, I always try to eat sushi.
Where’s the best place you’ve ever been on holiday? Michael Sealy
I always like to go to Brazil on holiday, but it was very nice in Cancun, Mexico, when I visited, so that’s somewhere I want to go again.
If you weren’t a footballer, what would you be? Sean Ames
I will say a professional FIFA player/YouTuber. I would stream every day for sure.
Lucas [Paquetá] streams often, and he’s very good at it. He’s very good at FIFA, and Call of Duty as well.
Why do you like the number 33 so much? Lucy Arnold
I like the number three because my birthday is 3 August. When I arrive at any team, I always try to take the number three, but if I don’t have the number three, I choose the 33 because it has the number three in it.
I played at Lyon with the number three, in Brazil [with Santos] with the number three and then started to play with the number 33 at Roma, and it was good.
It was nice to play with this number, and because of this, I chose this one when I arrived at West Ham United.
