Ravel Morrison: I wouldn’t have left West Ham if it was down to me
Former West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison says he would never have left the Irons if the decision was left down to him.
The 28-year-old was once hailed as the best player to come out of Manchester United’s academy by Sir Alex Ferguson. For whatever reason, he’s never met his great potential.
Speaking on the FIVE podcast with Rio Ferdinand, Ravel said he would have stayed in east London for his entire career if he’d been given the option.
He said: “When I came back (from QPR on loan) I started playing, Sam [Allardyce] gave me confidence, that was the main thing. And the fans, I liked the fans, crazy.
“If I had the opportunity I would have stayed at West Ham all the way through. I had offers to go to other teams, Newcastle, Fulham etc.
“But I enjoyed West Ham that much, the club, the fans, the people, I would have stayed there all the way through football.
“I hold my hands up you know, when I was younger I’ve made many mistakes. But I do believe, my time at West Ham, that wasn’t down to me. I’d never have left that club.”
What if
Ravel was a big hit amongst the West Ham faithful.
He played just 24 times for the Hammers and scored five goals over a three year period in east London. He’s best remembered for a mesmerising goal away to Spurs.
We famously won 3-0 at White Hart Lane in October of 2013. Ravel stole the show with a 79th-minute goal, running from his own half before delicately lifting the ball over an onrushing Hugo Lloris.
I remember fondly a game just a month later. Fulham at home, Upton Park under the lights. Ravel was introduced as a substitute late in the second half with us 1-0 up.
In the 88th minute, he picked up the ball on the left-wing, before dazzling through three Fulham defenders. He teed up Joe Cole, who fired into the bottom corner for our third goal.
Growing up, Cole was a hero of mine. Watching him score in claret and blue again was a dream. The way Ravel made that goal reminded me of a young Cole, the way he effortlessly went round players as if they weren’t there.
It’s sad that for reasons unknown, Ravel never lived up to the hype. But it was good to hear about him speak so highly of West Ham, the majority of fans look back on his time with us with the same lust.
In other West Ham news, Jesse Lingard and Issa Diop have both made Garth Crook’s team of the week.