West Ham defender Issa Diop has admitted that he is having to adapt quickly to Premier League football.
Speaking to whufc.com, Diop explained that the Premier League is very different to Ligue 1.
In order to succeed in England, Diop has had to learn on the job and adapt his game accordingly.
Diop’s words
Diop joined West Ham from Toulouse in the summer transfer window and has been thrown into action already.
The 21-year-old has captained his side in Ligue 1 already. But the Premier League is an entirely different challenge for Diop.
He said: “It is good [for] my confidence – we’ve come up against Olivier Giroud for Chelsea last week and Romelu Lukaku. I think I’ve played a normal game and I need to improve and work hard to play better.
“I need to adapt, but in football you don’t have the time so you need to learn quickly and play well from the first day. I needed to be ready from the start.
“The Premier League is faster and it is box-to-box. In France, the teams don’t go full in the attack, but here all the strikers, the wingers are strong, physical and quick. It’s not that easy to defend against.”
Diop’s season in numbers
Diop has formed a solid partnership with another new signing – Fabian Balbuena – in the West Ham defence.
In recent games, this has really blossomed, helping West Ham pick up some important results.
The France under-21 international, who stands at 6ft 4in tall, has won 14 aerial duels in five games.
In addition to this, he has made nine interceptions and 10 tackles. Also, Diop has nine blocks and a staggering 27 clearances.
It looks like the young Frenchman is going from strength to strength at The London Stadium.
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