The Portugal international joined West Ham United on loan from Inter Milan in January.
West Ham’s on-loan star Joao Mario admitted that he is finding the adjustment to the Premier League a hard one to make, when speaking exclusively to the club’s official website, although he insisted that he has enjoyed the challenge that he has faced thus far.
The Hammers signed the Portuguese ace on loan from Inter Milan in January, and have an option to buy at the end of the season, but he has failed to make much of an impact in the four Premier League games he has played thus far.
Mario possesses undoubted quality, but he must be given time to adapt to the robust nature of the English game, and whether between now and the end of the season will be a big enough window for him to prove his worth remains to be seen.
The Portugal international spoke exclusively to the club’s official website, and admitted that moving from Serie A to the Premier League has proven to be a real challenge for him:
“The Premier League is a new type of competition, and it’s taken a little getting used to. Everyone talks about how intense and physical this league is and, 100 per cent, it’s a completely different type of football. It’s a different world. I like this kind of football though. I think it’s been great for me. I’m developing, I’m improving and I’m really enjoying myself. I’m just keen to keep getting better.”
West Ham face a crucial game away at Swansea City in the Premier League today, and will need to be at their very best if they are to return to east London with maximum points.
Mario is likely to start the game, and it will be a fantastic opportunity for him to come to the fore, and endear himself to Hammers fans with a match-winning performance at the Liberty Stadium.
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