Newly appointed West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has heaped praise on long-serving club captain Mark Noble as he expects the midfielder to play an important role this season.
The Hammers have undergone a complete overhaul this summer after intense unrest and turmoil presided over the London Stadium last term – notably the pitch invasions and fan protests during a home fixture against Burnley in March.
However, there is now a sense of optimism in east London after the club appointed veteran tactician and former Premier League winner Manuel Pellegrini, as well as recruiting seven new players – with Felipe Anderson from Lazio the pick of the bunch.
Despite the number of high-profile signings joining the club in the past few months, Pellegrini insists he will be remaining loyal to his skipper Mark Noble, highlighting the importance of his role at the club.
“He is so, so important,” Pellegrini said on Noble to the club’s official website. “He has so many years here, he is the captain. I know him from the three years I worked here. He is a very good player, a very good leader also.
“He is the captain and knows the history of this club. He is always talking with new players. He is working very well in that sense also.”
Noble at West Ham
This season will mark Noble’s 15th for West Ham, having made his debut in 2004 during a League Cup game against Southend United as a 17-year-old.
The now 31-year-old progressed through the ranks at West Ham’s esteemed academy, having grew up just around the corner from the club’s old stomping ground, Upton Park.
Since making his debut 14 years ago, the Canning Town-born midfielder has amassed 435 appearances across all competitions for the club, scoring 51 goals and providing 52 assists for his teammates.
Last season, under Slaven Bilic and David Moyes, Noble featured 33 times in all competitions and scored four goals without registering a single assist as West Ham finished 13th in the Premier League.
The post Manuel Pellegrini lauds the importance of “leader” and club captain Mark Noble appeared first on Squawka News.
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