Mark Noble is renowned for his work as West Ham captain, and it has been noticed by Cheikhou Kouyate.
West Ham United midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has told the club’s official website that he “loves” captain Mark Noble following talks with the Hammers skipper.
Kouyate, 28, was one of a handful of West Ham players that were criticised for their drop in form last season, and to some degree at the start of the 2017-18 campaign.
But the former Anderlecht midfielder relied upon the guidance and wisdom of captain Noble, stating that his central midfield partner spoke to him privately in order to help the Senegal international regain his confidence and his form.
Now, Kouyate is one of the first names on David Moyes’ team sheet alongside Noble, with Pedro Obiang ruled out for the rest of the season and Josh Cullen still considered inexperienced in the middle of the park.
“I love Mark Noble,” Kouyate said. “Not only because he is a West Ham boy and he is the captain, but I love him because he speaks with me and he knows I had some problems.
“He knows everything about me and always says ‘If you need something, I’m there for you’.”
Kouyate is one of a number of players to improve their form under the guidance of Moyes, with club-record signing Marko Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez, Noble and Pablo Zabaleta all significantly improving under the Scot.
West Ham are next in action in nine days’ time, as they do not play this weekend following their 2-0 loss to Wigan in the FA Cup. Instead, they have a week off, and will face Liverpool at Anfield on February 24.
Kouyate has three and a half years remaining on his current London Stadium contract, which the Daily Star claim is worth £30,000 a week.
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