The midfielder believes he is good enough to play in Europe’s premier competitions and wants the chance to do so with the Hammers.
West Ham United midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has told Goal that he believes he is good enough to play in the Champions League and wants the chance to do so with the club.
Kouyate has been an important player for the Hammers since joining from Belgian side Anderlecht two years ago, racking up 76 appearances and 11 goals in all competitions.
The 26-year-old has five Europa League appearances to his name for the Irons, and sealed his place in the club’s history books by scoring their first ever competitive goal at the London Stadium in the 3-0 win over Domzale earlier this summer.
However, for the second year in a row he has been denied the opportunity to play in the group stages of the competition due to West Ham’s play-off exit.
Kouyate has loftier ambitions that that, though, and admitted to Goal that he is desperate to play in the Champions League for the club.
The Senegalese star said: “Playing football is my dream and I’ve come to West Ham to help the team and to help them qualify for the Champions League.
“In my opinion I can play in the Champions League because I’ve done it before with Anderlecht and it was a very nice experience. I want to have this experience with West Ham.”
Kouyate’s ambitions are in keeping with many at the club, with co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold clearly striving to establish West Ham as a top-four force to be reckoned with.
However, if the club fails to achieve that target, supporters may be wondering how long Kouyate is content to hang around at a club without top European football.
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