Alphonse Areola is hoping to add a UEFA Europa Conference League medal to his extensive trophy cabinet come 7 June.
A serial winner in France and Spain, Areola won five League titles, two national cups and five other trophies across spells at Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, while a FIFA World Cup winner's medal also arrived with France in 2018.
The Conference League would be his first with the Hammers, although the French stopper is well away there is plenty of work still to be done.
With the Irons heading to AZ Alkmaar needing a draw from Thursday’s semi-final second-leg tie in the Netherlands, Areola is ready and focused to get over the line and help the Club to a first major European final in 47 years.
“I have always loved competing in Europe,” Areola confirmed. “Of course, it’s a different degree of visibility to the Premier League, which is very widely followed.
"But Europe is also very important. At the European level, there is nothing better than playing in these competitions. Last season, we made it to the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League.
"We had a good campaign, and it went very well. We hoped for a little more but, all in all, we managed to play well and show our worth in Europe.
"This year, we have shown that same dynamic. We’ve had a good winning streak, so it’s up to us to continue that streak [and reach the final].”
A continuation of the Irons’ current 13-game unbeaten run in the competition would achieve just that following a 2-1 win over AZ at London Stadium last week.
A first-half effort from Tijjani Reijnders put the visitors ahead, but West Ham responded well after the break to take a crucial advantage to the Netherlands.
Saïd Benrahma’s penalty kickstarted the comeback before Michail Antonio prodded home what could turn out to be a crucial winner, on the night, from close range.
But while strikers and attackers often take the plaudits, there is no doubt Areola has been key to Hammers’ success on the continent over the past year.
Let us not forget, our fifth European victory this term was indebted to Areola, who showed his concentration levels to stop a powerful Fabio Silva header from point-blank range and secure a 1-0 win in Anderlecht.
It was a moment that echoed the stopper’s vital first-half save to deny Youssef En-Nesyri in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second-leg win over Sevilla in east London last season.
What is clear then is that Areola has stood tall over the past two seasons and he is ready to show there is more to come against AZ Alkmaar.
Speaking on how he gets ready for matches such as Thursday's second leg, Areola said: We prepare for it all week: every detail, every little thing, every movement, all week long. When you get to the match, you’re ready. You know how to handle every situation.
“In general, when it’s game time, our mind is ready. We’re ready because we’ve been doing this preparation work all through the week, with the other goalkeepers and with Xavi [Valero, the first-team goalkeeping coach]. There’s lots of preparation at a physical and mental level, and so when we get in the dressing room, we know what we have to do.
"The most important thing is personality because [as a goalkeeper] you're on your own and you have to make decisions.
"You have to be mentally strong, and you have to make decisions very quickly. Things happen, and within a second, within a fraction of a second, you have to react well.”
