West Ham United goalkeeper Mads Hermansen wants to ‘play at the highest level’ but appears in no rush to leave the London Stadium following their relegation from the Premier League.
Despite an impressive final few months under Nuno Espirito Santo – that blunder against Newcastle aside – speculation regarding the future of the Denmark international has been few and far between so far.
Alphonse Areola appears likely to depart. His £120k-a-week wages extremely hefty for a second-choice goalkeeper. This means West Ham United appear destined to kick off the 2026/27 Championship season with Mads Hermansen between the posts, even if the former Leicester City glovesman is keen to ensure a season in the second-tier is just that.
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One, single season in the second tier.
Mads Hermansen talks up West Ham United’s Championship challenge
Hermansen was speaking to Danish publication Bold between Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s DR Congo and Sunday’s friendly clash with Ukraine.
“Fortunately, the Championship is a strong league,” the Odense-born 25-year-old said. “I agree that it is not measured against the top shelf because it is the second-best league.
“But I think playing 46 games in the league, plus cup games, helps make you better, even if it’s not Premier League-level.
“[But] of course, you have to play at the highest possible level. That is what I strive for.”
Hermansen confirms that he is yet to hold talks with the West Ham bosses, though he expects to be back in East London preparing for pre-season before long.
“I have not been in dialogue with the club since I left [for Denmark duty]. So, I don’t know yet what the club’s plans are,” Hermansen adds.
“But it is certain that I will show up as a West Ham player afterwards, and then we will have to see what the club announces.”
Denmark international takes positives from Hammers’ relegation
Hermansen has now suffered relegation in both of his Premier League seasons.
A handful of West Ham players have thrived in the Championship before, though, and Hermansen is one of those. He kept 13 clean sheets and conceded on 34 goals as Leicester stormed to the second-tier title under Enzo Maresca in 2023/24.
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Soucek? Fernandes? Bowen? Mavropanos? Or is your choice someone else? 🤔
“Unfortunately, I had the experience of that from last year, when I tried to [survive] with Leicester,” Hermansen sighs.
“It’s about being in the moment, and I actually think [West Ham] were good at that as a team. But unfortunately, we only won one out of the last four, which wasn’t enough.
“I’m actually quite satisfied with the last six months, if I may say so, even if it ended in relegation. I think it was the first four or five months of the season that were decisive.”
West Ham would keep only seven clean sheets in 38 league matches last season. All of those came with Hermansen in the XI.
In fact, they would not complete a single shut-out between Hermansen’s removal from the team sheet in September and his return in February.
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