Bit part West Ham United playmaker Said Benrahma has made a shocking admission in an emotional new interview.
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Anyone who has watched Benrahma play football would never begin to imagine the Algerian lacks belief in his own ability.
But in an emotional interview with Gaffer – in which he discusses the huge influence of his late father on his career – Benrahma has admitted he lacks confidence.
The man West Ham splashed out £30 million to sign from Brentford has been a viral sensation over the last few years.
West Ham love a skilful maverick capable of moment of magic. And Benrahma’s showreel regularly saw him lauded by drooling fans online.
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When he started to add the all important numbers to his outrageous skill clubs started to take notice and West Ham won the day.
But his time with the Hammers so far has been something of an anti-climax.
Benrahma finds himself a bit-part player under David Moyes.
And after 20 appearances the attacker is still yet to score his first goal for West Ham.
If Benrahma does get a start he very rarely finishes the game.
Moyes has been strict with the 25-year-old. The Scot has demanded he do more defensively, be more efficient with the ball and warned he must stop trying to force that first goal.
But Benrahma has opened up on a surprising lack of belief in himself in a fascinating and wide-ranging interview with Gaffer.
West Ham’s £30m Algerian magician makes shocking admission over a lack of belief in his own ability
In fact such is Benrahma’s lack of confidence, he revealed he only started to think he could make it as a professional footballer THREE years ago.
“Honestly, maybe three years ago (I realised I could be a good player),” Benrahma told Gaffer.
“I knew I was good, I knew I had potential, that I could play, but I needed that confidence.
“So I knew I was a good player but did I ever think I’d make it to the Premier League for example? Honestly, never.
“No, honestly, I think it was a lack of confidence (Benrahma said when asked if he was just being humble).
“Like I knew how to do certain things but in a game I would always tell myself ‘no.’ I was afraid, I felt on a leash. I’d always overthink, ‘do I try a pass here?’
“But about three years ago when I was at Chateauroux, that’s where I fully realised my abilities. I really became conscious of my qualities and it was where I figured out the areas I was good at. I was able to develop those and from then on it became more relaxed, instinctive.
“I’m happy, I’m in the Premier league and I’m going to try and stay here for as long as possible. You’ve got to believe in your dreams. Because if you don’t believe in them, who will?”
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West Ham fans certainly believe in Benrahma.
Hammers fans are desperate for their talented new man to catch fire soon.
He is yet to be given a consistent run of games by Moyes.
But he can hardly complain either given West Ham are sitting pretty in fourth place with eyes on the Champions League.
With Declan Rice out and now Michail Antonio looking set for a spell on the sidelines, West Ham and Moyes need Benrahma to step up.
And who knows he could well be shining on the European stage with the east Londoners next season.
You can see the full Benrahma feature interview on Gaffer’s YouTube channel.
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