- Jose Fonte wants to come back next season and show the Hammers fans his best true qualities
- The defender helped the side to a 2-1 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday
- Fonte is keen for a full summer of rest having had little chance to in previous years due to international commitments
Centre-back Jose Fonte has vowed to come back after a well-earned rest this summer and show West Ham United supporters his best form in Claret and Blue.
The defender, speaking after his side ended the 2016/17 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Burnley, has not had a full summer’s rest for three years due to international commitments, but is keen to come back fresh next term.
Fonte played the full 90 minutes at the heart of defence at Turf Moor, as goals from Sofiane Feghouli and Andre Ayew saw the visitors overturn Sam Vokes’ opener.
And the Portugal international, who lifted the UEFA European Championship trophy in France last year, believes he is yet to show the Hammers fans his true qualities.
He said: “Firstly, Burnley are a very difficult team to beat at home, so we’re very pleased. We came in with a bright attitude and we go three big points.
“But next season, the whole team wants to come back fresh, because I can be better and I want to be better for this Club. That’s what I’m going to do.
“After the internationals are done, I will speak to the gaffer to get a good rest, because I haven’t had one in the last three years, for a good reason!
“I want to get my rest, come back fresh, and have a great season next year.”
Portugal, fresh off the back of their maiden European triumph, will compete in this summer’s Confederations Cup in Russia, a tournament Fonte is keen to do well in.
Next season, the whole team wants to come back fresh, because I can be better and I want to be better for this Club. That’s what I’m going to do.
Jose Fonte
“Of course nothing over the summer can live up to winning the Euros, it was a great achievement,” he continued.
“But we still have the Confederations Cup in the summer, and we want to win that, but the main one is the World Cup next year. If we can challenge for that, it could be even greater than the Euros.
“It’s step-by-step, but first we have to win the Confederations.”
Fonte arrived in east London during the January transfer window, switching the south coast and Southampton for the capital.
And despite a turbulent season for the Club, the defender has absolutely no regrets about joining Slaven Bilic’s outfit, in part down to the manager himself.
“I think Slaven deserves a lot of credit [for how he has handled this season], because he’s a great coach, a great manager, a great person.
“Obviously I want him to be here, there’s no doubt, and I can only say thank you to him for bringing me here to this great Club.
“No doubt that it has been a challenging season since I came in. It hasn’t been a perfect situation but all the focus now is on having four weeks’ rest and coming back for a new beginning.
“I want to come back and start over again and be loved.”