Grady Diangana has said he will be “working hard” to break into David Moyes’ starting eleven this season having returned to West Ham.
The 22-year-old made his first appearance in claret and blue for more than a year on Tuesday as he played in the Hammers’ pre-season friendly victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Diangana helped himself to two assists on his return, both for Sebastien Haller, as West Ham saw off the Tractor Boys 4-1 in Suffolk.
The Hammers winger has been linked with a move away from the club this summer with Fulham, Ajax, Celtic and West Bromwich Albion linked with making permanent moves for the winger.
Diangana has been reported to have been concerned over a lack of game time this season with Moyes in charge but the Hammers manager has already hinted that the England under-21 international will have a big role to play in 2020/21.
Speaking to West Ham’s official website after the game on Tuesday, Diangana said: “For me, I’m just taking it day by day and working hard. I just want to be the best I can be every day, and hopefully I can do that and break into the starting XI.”
“I like to help out others to succeed and score goals.
“For me, seeing others score and helping with that is just the same as me scoring as well. If I can help everyone else out – whether that’s through a pass or with a recovery run – I’m happy.”
Diangana bagged seven goals and eight assists for the Baggies last season as former Hammers manager Slaven Bilic steered the club to promotion back to the top flight.
In east London, Diangana is up against the likes of Felipe Anderson, Jarrod Bowen, Andriy Yarmolenko and Pablo Fornals for a starting berth on the flanks for Moyes’ side, who hit nine goals across their two friendly matches on Tuesday.
Diangana said it was “lovely” to pull on the claret and blue shirt once again after spending a very productive season away which probably went better than the both the player and the Hammers expected.
“Obviously, everyone got a lot of minutes on Tuesday and proved that we are fit,” the winger added.
“I’m happy to be back and I’m really happy to be playing with my teammates again and finding ways that we can play together. It was lovely to represent West Ham again.”
West Ham are next in action on Saturday when they host Championship play-off final runners up Brentford at London Stadium in another behind closed doors friendly.
