Having arrived at Upton Park on loan at the end of January, Lionel Scaloni has enjoyed an impressive introduction to English football. His first three games in a claret and blue shirt have coincided with three clean sheets for the Hammers defence and, as he revealed in an exclusive chat with whufc.com (again with the help of our Italian-speaking Club Doctor Ges Steinbergs, pictured above with Lionel), the Argentinian international is also settling in well to life off the field in London...
Q: What have you enjoyed most about
life at West Ham United so far Lionel?
A: I have enjoyed everything about being here, but the best thing
for me has to be the supporters - they are unlike anything I have
ever seen before. In Spain, very few supporters travel to away
games, and to see so many West Ham fans up at Bolton for our FA Cup
match was a different experience for me. It was wonderful to walk
over to the crowd at the end of the game and applaud them for their
support - it enabled me to feel that I have made a good decision in
signing for West Ham.
Q: Since you arrived, the defence has kept a clean sheet
in each of the three matches you have played - that must have given
you a sense of satisfaction about your introduction to English
football?
A: Yes, it has been a very good beginning for me, but the fact that
we have not conceded goals is not to do with me! It is down to the
rest of the team, and the other defenders who have been playing
well over a long period of time. I have enjoyed playing with the
likes of Anton Ferdinand, Danny Gabbidon and Paul Konchesky. They
are all very good defenders who are also excellent technical
players also. There is no kicking the ball long - I like the fact
that the defenders try to play good football and start attacks from
the back.
Q: Do you feel you have now got used to the pace of the
English game?
A: Yes, it was not so much the speed of the game or the pace of the
players that surprised me, because we have players in Spain who are
also very quick. The thing that I have had to get used to is the
rhythm of the game, which is constantly backwards and forwards,
never slowing down or giving you the chance to think clearly about
your tactics. In Spain, the game is played stop-start, and it
doesn't flow as much. Because of this, I feel it is important
to be in possession of the ball in the English game and that is
what I have been working hard on in training here.
Q: What about life off the field, Lionel - have you
settled in well to a new culture and surroundings?
A: Yes, I am very happy with my life here. People ask me a lot if I
have trouble with the cold weather in England and I have to tell
them that it is not a problem, because the weather in Coruna at
this time of year is not much warmer. In northern Spain, it can be
very cold in the winter, so I am used to playing in these
conditions. The only problem for me since I arrived in England is
the language - it can be very frustrating when you are not able to
communicate fully with your team-mates and coaches.
Q: Rumour has it that some of the players are learning
Spanish in order to converse with you!
A: Yes, but I have to say that my English is probably better than
their Spanish! The players have been fantastic, they have made me
feel very welcome and at home, as have the staff and the people
around the Club. To me, they are already very good companions, and
it has made it much easier for me to settle.
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Q: Do you have family over with you in England at the
moment?
A: Just my girlfriend Patricia, who arrived here from Spain a few
days ago. Patricia was born in Venezuela, but actually lives in
Madrid. She is a teacher and speaks very good English, so hopefully
she will be able to help my English improve now!
My brother Mauro came over with me when I first arrived here, but
he plays for the reserve team at Deportivo La Coruna, so he had to
go back soon afterwards. My father was also over here for a short
while, but he lives with my mother and the rest of the family back
in Argentina.
Q: You must be delighted to have been called up by the
Argentinian national squad for the friendly against
Croatia?
A: Yes, it is very important for me to have recognition from the
national team, and I think that playing here in the Premiership has
helped me in that sense. The Premiership matches are shown live on
ESPN television in Argentina, and with Hernan Crespo also playing
here in London, there is much interest among the people.
Q: Presumably you are desperate to play for your country
in the World Cup finals this summer?
A: Yes, of course it would be my dream. It will be difficult,
because there are only 23 places in the World Cup squad, and maybe
40 players who are hoping to be named, so some will be very
disappointed.
Q: And will the Argentina fans demand success in the
tournament?
A: Oh yes! Argentina has one of the most passionate bunch of
supporters and they will be expecting us to win the World Cup -
nothing less. We have a very tough group to get through at the
start and, if we progress from there, the confidence will be high
enough to believe that the team can go all the way.
Q: And finally, looking ahead, do you have any plans for
when your loan spell expires at the end of the campaign?
A: I am not sure what will happen at the end of the season - much
will depend on Deportiva La Coruna. I have played for them for many
years now and they are still part of my heart, so I don't
really want to play for another Spanish club. Maybe they will want
me to go back for next season, but I really don't know at the
moment. If there is a possibility of staying at West Ham, then it
is something I would certainly consider as I already know that this
is a very good club to play for.