Former West Ham United striker Robbie Keane has said that it is “unbelievable” that the Hammers have reached the final of this season’s Europa Conference League.
David Moyes’ side take on Italian outfit Fiorentina at the Fortuna Arena in Prague on Wednesday night, in what will be the Hammers ’ first major European final since the 1976 European Cup Winners’ Cup final against Anderlecht.
Despite finishing 14th in the Premier League this season, West Ham’s stunning record in Europe leaves them one game away from silverware and a place in next year’s Europa League.
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Speaking to Betway about the final and West Ham’s season, Keane, who played ten times for the Hammers on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in 2011, says it is a special achievement for the Irons, adding that manager Moyes has thoroughly deserved some major silverware.
“It's an unbelievable achievement for West Ham to get to a European final,” said Keane. “It’s never easy to get to a final, and the first one in 47 years, it’s a great achievement. You just hope that they can go and win it now.
“I think David’s always been a really good manager. He had a bit of a tough season but finished well in the league and if he can win a final that would just top everything off for him. It would be great for the club, and for English football.”
Should West Ham win the final against Fiorentina, they will be competing in Europe for a third consecutive season next term, which will be the first time that the club has played for three straight years in Europe in the club’s history.
Keane thinks that regular European competition is exactly what Moyes and the club want and that regular football will only help stimulate the club’s desire for success.
“West Ham will have another busy season if they can win the Conference League and qualify for Europe,” Keane explained. “They have to remain competitive, and I think David Moyes is a manager that likes that.
“Every team wants to play in Europe and play against the best, so I’m sure that if they go and win this and qualify for Europe, they can kick on for next year.”
Former Republic of Ireland international striker Keane has also given his thoughts on captain Declan Rice, who has been heavily linked with a transfer exit this summer, with Bayern Munich and Arsenal among those heavily linked with the 24-year-old.
Speaking on his potential future move, Keane said that Rice can play for any top club and that he suspects he would love to seal a potential West Ham send-off with a European trophy.
“Declan Rice has obviously been a top player for them. If he can sign off with a trophy as captain, that would be great, but I do think that he’ll probably leave this summer,” added Keane. “He could be one for the big teams – Liverpool, Man City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea.
“He’s been an incredible servant, so I imagine that he’d love to sign off with a win and a trophy under his belt.”
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