Exclusive: Ex-West Ham star Andre Ayew reveals hard work behind David Moyes and Michail Antonio’s success

Former West Ham forward Andre Ayew says David Moyes always had it in him to lead the club to a special place, after being the first manager to guide the Hammers to the group stage of the Europa League in recent history.

The Ghana international won the BBC African Player of the Year in 2011 and signed a four-year deal to become West Ham’s record signing in 2016.

He however left the club after two seasons to return Swansea after scoring 12 Premier League goals for the Irons.

Coincidentally, it was during David Moyes’ first stint as manager of West Ham that Ayew left the club.

Despite not truly settling into life at the London Stadium, Ayew says he made some really good friends and knew David Moyes always had what it took to get the best out of players.

“They are doing really well and that is proof that last season wasn’t just a fluke,” he told LondonWorld in an exclusive interview.

“The thing about David Moyes and his coaching team is that he knows how to put the team into a good structure and that is clearly showing and they are winning games.

“I know what it means to the fans to have the team competing with the big boys and playing in Europe.

“But I urge them to continue winning because the Premier League is the best league in the world and the moment you stop winning you get into trouble.

“I enjoyed my time there and made some really good friends on and off the pitch, so it’s always nice to see people you know looking happy and enjoying their game.”

Ayew played with Michail Antonio and shared great moments with the striker who has been leading the charge to make West Ham a top four club.

The Ghanaian, who now plays his football with Al Sadd in Qatar, says he is still in contact with his mate Antonio, and is glad to see him finally taking his game to the next level.

“Michail has not had it that easy but I’m glad he is getting all the reward his hard work deserves,” Ayew added.

“At the beginning he had challenges of staying fit and he worked really hard to get to that.

“He always had that ability to play well, take people on and go past two or three players.

“In training, you could easily see that there was something special but what he’s done now is add something special and that is the finishing.

“In football the moment you add that finishing and assisting to your game then you’re going places so it is honestly refreshing to see him getting it right over there.”

West Ham are without a win in their last three league games and will hope to get back to winning ways when they take on table-topping Chelsea at the London Stadium on Saturday.

The game will also give striker Michail Antonio, who was on fire at the beginning of the season, the chance to get back to scoring having gone on a mini-barren run since September.