West Ham skipper Mark Noble on ‘amazing’ final season at Hammers
West Ham stalwart Mark Noble has set his sights on a perfect end to his playing career as he targets a Europa League triumph.
The Hammers host German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League Semi-Final.
Noble’s career with the Irons has been somewhat of a whirlwind, a rollercoaster even, but the 34-year-old could experience the best season yet come the end of May.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Noble said: “Even what has happened up until this stage, for my last season, to do what we have done [has been incredible].
“Even if you take the Europa League out of it, we have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in 15 years, Man City at home in the cup on penalties and then I’ve played a lot in the Europa League games myself.
“I’ve been involved in most of them so it has been an amazing last season for me. It would be nice to go out on a high.”
Fairytale finale
Mark Noble’s Hammers career has been nothing short of fantastic, with the 34-year-old experiencing a mix of emotions with the club from promotion to relegation.
Winning the Europa League probably didn’t seem a likely scenario throughout most of the Englishman’s career at the London club, but in his 18th season Noble could be about to experience the ultimate triumph of his terrific, loyal career.
With David Moyes at the helm and scalps which include Lyon and six-time winners Sevilla in previous rounds, there are many tipping the Premier League side to go all the way and win the competition.
Eintracht Frankfurt are the visitors to the London Stadium on Thursday night in the first leg of the Semi-Final – the Irons’ first in Europe since 1976.
Elsewhere in the Europa League, Rangers also face German opposition as they take on RB Leipzig with the first leg being played at the Red Bull Arena.
In other West Ham news, Declan Rice has turned down his third new contract at club and Manchester United respond.