Alphonse Areola Prepares for Man City: Clean Sheets and High Standards

Alphonse Areola Sets High Standards at West Ham

Alphonse Areola is not just the goalkeeper for West Ham; he is the embodiment of a competitive spirit that thrives on passion and hard work. Recently, during a conversation at the club's training ground, Areola expressed the importance of maintaining high standards within the team. "If I have to shout at them, I will. And if they have to shout at me, they will. We want everyone to be on their limits and push very hard," he stated.

Building Strong Relationships with New Signings

Areola's synergy with new centre-backs Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo is blossoming. In their recent Premier League game against Crystal Palace, the defensive unit managed to secure their first clean sheet in a staggering 20 attempts. This was complemented by another solid performance in the Carabao Cup against Bournemouth, where Todibo made his first start, contributing to another shutout.

Defensive Integration and Intensity in Training

According to Areola, Kilman brings a calm energy to the defence, while Todibo isn't afraid to vocalize when someone is not performing. "It's great to have these types of mentalities to move forward and reach the stars," he noted. For Areola, the key to success lies in the "clean sheet mentality" that prevails through the squad during training and matches.

Upcoming Challenge: Manchester City

This Saturday, West Ham faces one of their biggest tests yet as they host Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions. Areola respects City's past achievements, emphasizing how difficult it is to maintain a high level of play. He expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete, saying, "But we have the quality we have in the squad and I think we can compete in this type of game."

Aiming for European Competition

Areola and his teammates are not shy about their aspirations. "We're not hiding it; we want to get back to Europe as soon as possible. We won the Conference League two years ago and we want to taste it again," he said. With new boss Julen Lopetegui at the helm and fresh signings on the roster, there’s a renewed sense of optimism around the club this season.

Preparation and Team Spirit

“We restarted everything,” Areola reflected on the pre-season preparations. The focus on hard work and building relationships with new players is palpable. As the team gears up for challenging fixtures, Areola’s easy-going nature is complemented by a fierce competitive spirit that will serve them well when the pressure mounts.

As Areola left the training ground, he did so with a handshake and a smile, although it's clear that when it’s time for serious competition, he will be ready to lead the team with fervor.