Goalkeeper Adrian says the 2018/19 campaign already feels that it could be his best wearing the West Ham United shirt.
Adrian is heading into his sixth campaign as a Hammer, having joined the side in 2013, and has been working hard with the rest of the squad at the pre-season camp in Switzerland.
The Spaniard is excited to be working with Premier League-winning manager Manuel Pellegrini, and is also anticipating big things from the new signings joining the Hammers.
Add those together, and Adrian reckons this season could be his most enjoyable at the Club.
I’m going into my sixth year as a West Ham player, and already this feels like one of the most positive seasons.
Adrian
“I’m going into my sixth year as a West Ham player, and already this feels like one of the most positive seasons,” Adrian told whufc.com. “The mood is really positive. We want to do well and we want to do much better than we did last season.
“Everyone is excited about the new manager and the new staff. Manuel has a great CV and has worked with some of the biggest clubs in football. I think we can grow a lot under him and his staff.
“We have good players here, and the new signings have come in, so we are stronger. All of them are quality players with experience, who have played a lot of games between them. I think we can have a really good season and enjoy it a lot.”
One of the five new signings is shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski, who will provide competition for Adrian for the starting position in Pellegrini’s side after joining from Swansea City earlier in the summer.
“I’ve played against Lukasz many times over the last five years,” the 31-one continued. “He is a goalkeeper with a lot of experience in the Premier League. I’m looking forward to working with him this season. Obviously, everyone wants to play but we will give each other good, healthy competition, and the better ‘keeper will get in the team.”
Adrian has been one of four goalkeepers enjoying the facilities in Bad Ragaz for pre-season, with the Spaniard easily the most experienced of the group.
The No13 has been joined by 19-year-olds Nathan Trott and Joseph Anang, as well as 16-year-old Daniel Jinadu, and Adrian is relishing the responsibility of guiding and advising the three youngsters.
“Sometimes I feel like the captain of our group!” Adrian laughed. “I’m 31 now, still young for a goalkeeper, but I have a lot of experience playing in the Premier League for West Ham. They are three good goalkeepers, and I will try to show them how they can improve, tactically and technically.
“They are all really young, but it’s really good for them to come away with the first team and do pre-season with us, to show their ability. They have a bit to learn, because this position is the most difficult on the pitch, but they are all working hard.
“I love working with them. Sometimes I have to help them grasp a certain technique, or help with an exercise, but {goalkeeping coach) Xavi Valero and I are trying to help them and make them better.”
Adrian played his first 45 minutes of the new season in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to FC Winterthur, and the goalkeeper is happy with how he personally felt after the game.
The shot-stopper is now focusing on ensuring he is at his peak come the opening game of the season, against Liverpool.
He added: ““I personally feel good. I’m feeling physically strong. As a team, it wasn’t the best result to start, but this friendly was for us to prepare. We are training really hard for the season.
“The most important thing is to be ready for the first game against Liverpool. These games will be used to get us ready for that and to prove we are listening and learning in training.”