Ben Johnson lifts lid on emotional Mark Noble West Ham departure
Ben Johnson has admitted that West Ham veteran Mark Noble leaving the club at the end of the season “hasn’t really sunk in” yet.
The 35-year-old will play the final home game of his long and illustrious 18-year Hammers career on Sunday [May 15] against Manchester City.
With Noble having such a huge presence within the squad, the youngster has called for everyone to step up in his absence next season.
He told Daily Mail: “We are fighting for that European place and City are fighting for the league. Add in the fact it’s Noble’s final home game and it’s a big one, isn’t it?
“It hasn’t really sunk in that he’s going and won’t do until is not there for pre-season.
“It will be strange and sad. What he has done for the club is phenomenal and to lose that character will be a big miss.
“But we have players to step up and maybe it could be a job for me too.
“I am not that young anymore and need to do that. I need to keep moving forward.”
Mr West Ham.
What a miss Noble is going to be. As Johnson eluded to, his impact won’t be fully felt until next season when he is no longer at the club.
It is impossible to measure the impact that the Irons legend has on this squad because nobody can see what goes on behind the scenes.
The midfielder is absolutely key for the younger and new players coming into the squad – he will make sure they know the values of the club and help settle them into the squad.
Declan Rice is a player who can fulfil a similar role in his absence but who knows how long he will remain with the Hammers after turning down yet another new contract at the London Stadium.
The 23-year-old even admitted himself he is still learning from his skipper with him set to take the armband next season.
He will be sorely missed within the dressing room and hopefully, it doesn’t have too much of an impact.
In other West Ham news, Martin Samuel has responded to the latest West Ham London Stadium developments dubbing it the “deal of the century”.
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