West Ham United have struggled in the league this season, with only 10 wins from 35 games, conceding 50 goals in the process.
The Hammers, on the other hand, have impressed in the UEFA Conference League. They have made it to the semi-final of the competition by failing to win only once this season and it came in their 1-1 draw against Gent last month.
West Ham face AZ Alkmaar in the last four and the first leg will take place in London on Thursday. Ahead of the midweek European clash, Algemeen Dagblad interviewed AZ’s Jordy Clasie.
The 31-year-old left Southampton for the Eredivisie side in 2019 and has faced West Ham during his time with the Saints.
When explaining what his teammates can expect from David Moyes’ side, the midfielder points out the Premier League club’s capabilities in the transfer market.
“If you just look at the transfer value of the selection of West Ham United, then that is a huge difference with us,” he said.
“I believe Declan Rice could soon be paid more than our entire selection is worth. And then they are also in the middle bracket [mid table]. They can basically buy who they want to buy.
“But that doesn’t automatically make them win. Neither did Lazio expect us to win. We beat them twice. If you are good as a team, you always have a chance.”
Clasie has been in a similar situation in the past and that experience could help him when facing West Ham twice this month.
“Three times in my career I felt more than usual tension. At my first match for Feyenoord, at my debut with the Dutch national team and when I had to come on in the semi-final of the World Cup against Argentina. I’m looking forward to it [West Ham game],” Clasie explained.
“If a Dutch club reaches the semi-final of a European tournament, then that’s a very good achievement anyway. That pressure is placed on the players. If we finish third at AZ this season, everyone will say that we have had a fantastic season. Now there is even more to it with the Conference League.”
