Joe Cole has been following West Ham United’s European run particularly closely over the past couple of years.
Working for BT Sport, the former Hammer of the Year and West Ham captain has become a regular pundit as his old Club has ventured across the continent, with Prague the latest city to be invaded by the Claret and Blue Army.
Historic nights in France, Spain and the Netherlands have followed for Cole and the rest of the BT crew over the previous two seasons – but there is one last hurdle to jump. The most difficult yes, but the most rewarding too.
After going to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals last season, the Irons are in the Europa Conference League final this, with Italian opponents ACF Fiorentina standing between West Ham and a second major European trophy.
“It is a huge achievement to get to a European final,” Cole, who made 182 appearances in east London, enthused. “I have been singing the praises of David Moyes since he walked through the door. I think he has done a great job.
“We are very quick to forget in football. You have to remember where West Ham were when he came in.”
Cole has a point. The former skipper notes an impressive rise over the past few years under the guidance of the experienced Scot, who inherited a team hovering nervously above the Premier League relegation zone in December 2019.
Eighteen months later, they had finished sixth and qualified for Europe through their league position for just the second time. The Hammers have never played in Europe for three straight seasons – a win in Prague would ensure the Club achieves just that, too.
Perhaps, that prize is in the back of the minds of supporters. A first major European title in 58 years is the target for Hammers, whether fans, players or staff, everywhere.
As Cole explains: “You play to win trophies. The big games, the finals, and the wins are what you remember.”
The players are focused, then.
“This team is as good a West Ham team as I have seen, in terms of talent,” Cole added. “You have got international footballers right the way through the squad.
“They have been brilliant through the last two European campaigns. Some of the nights they have given the fans at London Stadium have been incredible.
“We have to pinch ourselves sometimes with the quality we have got. And with the quality West Ham have got they should be doing things like this. But the players have been brilliant, and it is well deserved.”
As such, the Hammers’ stock on the continent has only surged upwards over the past two years, with the Club holding its own on the European stage.
West Ham are now 37th in UEFA's club coefficient rankings, one place behind AC Milan and ahead of the likes of European regulars Marseille, Celtic, PSV and Lazio.
Memorable victories over Lyon and Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League have been followed by an unbeaten run to the final of the Europa Conference League this term.
A club that learnt so much from defeat to Frankfurt last year; now determined to bring a trophy back to east London.
“It is a long time since West Ham have been in a final,” Cole stated. “It is not normal. We all need to really enjoy it and savour it.”
