Hammers fans often question whether the squad feel as motivated for these London derbies as the supporters hope. After decades of overseas players joining clubs across the Premier League, possibly diluting the north London / east London rivalry, it is interesting to hear from some of West Ham’s newest recruits explaining exactly what the upcoming derby means to them.
Take £40 million man Max Kilman who joined the club in the summer from Wolves: Speaking to the club web site, the Hammers’ central defensive signing confirms: “We can’t wait for it,” Kilman told whufc.com. “I’ve heard from the players what it means to the Club and the fans. But that is something to enjoy. These are the type of games you want to be involved in.
As a player, I love the challenge of these sorts of games, so it is a game that we all have to be excited for.
“There’s a lot of pressure in the games, especially with it being a derby, but this is why we play football, and I feel I thrive under the pressure of performing.”
Of course, Max Kilman is originally a local boy – not many Hammers may realise it but Kilman was born and raised in Newham until moving to north London at the age of nine.
Both he and Jean-Clair Todibo will hope to be high-fiving again at the end of the Spurs fixture, as they did after the 4-1 defeat of Ipswich Town. Signs of a great defensive partnership beginning to flourish.
