Arthur Masuaku cannot wait for the new season to begin after playing the full 90 minutes of Saturday’s pre-season friendly victory at Wycombe Wanderers.
The 24-year-old Frenchman made 33 appearances in Claret & Blue last season and is ready to kick on again under Manuel Pellegrini.
Having enjoyed the first two weeks of pre-season at the Club’s training camp in Switzerland, Masuaku was delighted to be able to put that preparation into practice as the Hammers sealed a 1-0 victory at Adams Park.
“It felt great to be out on the pitch again on Saturday, especially to play 90 minutes,” he said. “We managed the game well and hopefully we can keep going this way.
“On Saturday the target was to play as a team and I think we did that well. We kept a clean sheet too and I think that’s the best way to win a game.
“Playing the full 90 minutes was a real plus, I’m the kind of player who the more I play the more I feel good in my body and my stamina.
“Me and Pedro played the whole game, so hopefully I can keep going in this way and play as much as I can.”
For everyone it is an exciting time. Every player wants to show their best – this manager is one of the biggest and I think he can take us to the next level
Arthur Masuaku
The Hammers will now spend the next phase of pre-season in London and take on three Championship sides in the shape of Preston North End, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town – ideal preparation for the new campaign according to Masuaku.
He added: “We had a great training camp in Switzerland. We worked very hard, sometimes we had three training sessions a day.
“Now we’re back home, we played a League One side on Saturday and we’ve got three Championship teams next, so it’s a good way to build up for the new season.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to keep building our game and to get fit as quickly as possible, ready for the game against Liverpool.”
Masuaku was thrilled with how new signings Issa Diop and Andriy Yarmolenko integrated into the side at the weekend and says the whole squad are excited by the prospect of working under Pellegrini.
He said: “The new players bring an addition and a plus to the team, and I think it is what we needed. We all try to put them in the best condition, so they can show their best and what they are capable of.
“For everyone it is an exciting time. Every player wants to show their best – this manager is one of the biggest and I think he can take us to the next level.”