Saïd Benrahma is not about to sit back on his fine start to the season.
Eight games into the 2021/22 season, the 26-year-old had four goals and two assists to his name, including the last minute strike which sealed Thursday night's 2-0 UEFA Europa League victory over Rapid Vienna.
The Algeria international has made a huge impact in the team's strong opening to the campaign, but he is hungry for more and says the hard work won't stop.
As he prepares to take on Brentford for the first time in a competitive match since leaving the Bees for West Ham a year ago, Benrahma sat down with the Official Matchday Programme for an interview on his experience in west London, his ambitions for the year ahead and more...
"Facing Brentford will be strange today, but it’s something I’m looking forward to as I’ll always be grateful for what they’ve done for me," he said.
"I know them very well and I’m not surprised with how they’ve started in the Premier League. They’ve had their structure in place for a few years since I was with them in the Championship and I’m looking forward to playing against them on Sunday.
"Both teams like to attack and it’s going to be a tough game. We both have our unique styles in gameplay and, yes, I hope we’re going to win the game.
"Thomas Frank was great for me in my two years with the Bees and now David Moyes is helping me push on even higher.
"When I came over from France I quickly adapted to life at Brentford. They team were great for fitting me in. I really enjoyed it and it was great to be there.
"Thomas Frank helped me both on a footballing and personal level so I can only thank him because he helped me get to the next level.
"Now David Moyes pushes me to become a better player and we have a good understanding. I can only thank him because he’s the one who’s always pushing me and helping me understand how the team plays, and how to play better in terms of the whole team. He pushes me really hard."
Now a year into life in east London, Benrahma is feeling fully settled, helped by a full and productive pre-season heading into this campaign.
He continued: "I’m feeling good and it’s great to contribute to the wins we’ve had. Having a good pre-season was key to that and I just want to keep it going.
"I think that I needed to do the pre-season this year in order to be at my highest level. Because last year I missed it land that didn’t help me. It was difficult when I first came in because the season had already started so it was tough to get up to speed in the Premier League. Now I’ve adapted myself and it’s okay!
"It’s always important to be well prepared, so this season I feel a lot better, but now I’ve had a good start it’s also very important that I don’t rest on my laurels. I’m going to keep working every day, striving to improve and hopefully I can get even better."
You can read the full interview with Saïd in today's Official Matchday Programme, available for £3.50 from sellers around the ground and online by clicking here.
