Do not assume that West Ham United’s dreadful start to the new Premier League campaign has El Hadji Malick Diouf wondering just what he’s got himself in for.
While certainly not one of the major culprits during that 3-0 Sunderland defeat – Graham Potter pointed the blame at his West Ham United centre-backs while Mads Hermansen’s ‘big mistake’ gifted Wilson Isidor the home side’s third of the afternoon – this was admittedly not the start the £19 million summer signing wanted.
To think, it could have been oh-so different.
El Hadji Malick Diouf came agonisingly close to a debut goal during a first half which the Hammers largely controlled. His slide-rule shot had rendered Robin Roefs powerless in the Sunderland goal, but not a sliding Dan Ballard.
Yet, while the realities of West Ham’s weaknesses were exposed in the most brutal fashion on Wearside, stepping onto a Premier League pitch for the very first time was still a ‘pinch me’ moment for the 20-year-old Senegal international.
El Hadji Malick Diouf during the Premier League Summer Series clash between Manchester United and West Ham United
Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
El Hadji Malick Diouf has achieved his Premier League dream at West Ham United
In the space of a few months, the Dakar-born Diouf won the Czech league title with Slavia Prague, helped Senegal become the first African team to beat England on UK soil, sealed a £19 million transfer, and then made his Premier League bow.
Quite the journey.
“I’m very happy with the start I’ve made to life at West Ham, but I’m always looking to be even better,” Diouf beams in conversation with the club’s official website, refusing to let that Wearside reverse dampen his spirits.
“I have been working hard ever since I can remember to get the opportunity of playing in the Premier League.
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“I think it is a dream for every young footballer in Senegal to come here and play in the Premier League, and when they are here, they want to make everything good. I’m no different.
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“It’s the best league in the world, and so many Senegalese players that I’ve looked up to have come here and made good careers, and to be the next player to achieve this is an incredible feeling.
“The away fans were brilliant too, as they were at London Stadium against LOSC Lille [in a friendly this month]. You see how they want to push us, and I think their support will help push us in the right direction this season.”
Diouf says Nayef Aguerd, Alphonse Areola and Maxwel Cornet helped him settle
West Ham icon Tony Cottee was reminded of David Beckham – arguably the best crosser of the ball the Premier League has ever seen – when watching Diouf in action during a 2-0 friendly victory over Bournemouth over in the USA.
While a left-footer in contrast to Manchester United’s right-sided icon, Diouf brings the sort of booming, pinpoint delivery the Hammers have lacked arguably since Aaron Cresswell’s prime.
The departures of Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal, Lukasz Fabianski, Michail Antonio and co means Diouf arrived to a much-less experienced dressing room back in July.
However, he is quick to credit Nayef Aguerd, Alphonse Areola and Maxwel Cornet in particular for taking the former Tromso IL teenager under their wing. Aguerd, Areola and Cornet are, after all, fluent French speakers like Diouf.
“It’s been a very good first month in east London, and the environment in the dressing room is brilliant,” Diouf adds. “I want to joke with everyone, so it’s going well.
“We have the good feeling, and on the pitch we are working, not only for ourselves, but for the team, which I think is very important, and we are ready to have a positive Premier League season.
“I want to say I have a good relationship with everyone in the squad, especially Nayef, Alphonse and Maxwel. But I love everybody!”