Mads Hermansen has recently been given the nod as the starting goalkeeper at West Ham United. The Danish shot stopper signed for the Hammers in the summer, joining in a big money deal from relegated Leicester City. Unfortunately for the 25-year-old, it wasn’t long before the Irons sent Graham Potter walking and left the keeper in limbo.
After a prolonged spell out of the side, Hermansen has returned, putting in some stellar performances and helping West Ham to four points in their last two Premier League games. With Nuno Espirito Santo now putting his faith in the level-headed Dane, he is ready to push on and show Hammer’s fans just what he can bring between the sticks.
Talking to West Ham’s official website, Hermansen acknowledged this season had been tough at times, but was in a good place as he returns to the action:
“This season has been tough at times, but for me at least, my focus has been on working hard and being professional and positive every day,”
“I try to do the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing and, of course, sometimes I felt like ‘it’s terrible’ and ‘I want to play’, but I’ve also known that there’s a team here and there are other goalkeepers who’ve been trying to do their best and perform.
“So, my focus has been on trying to be supportive and do the best as I can to them, and also to be ready if the chance came again.
“I think the thing I’m most happy for is that the work I’ve done the last four or five months to be able to perform when I got the chance again has put me in a good place and I think this is the real Mads that you see in goal now.”
Mads Hermanson’s Danish dream
Hermansen’s move to West Ham was not only motivated by a chance to play Premier League football once again, but a hope to make it into the Denmark national team. Presently, the 25-year-old is yet to represent his nation at the senior level, sitting behind the ever-reliable Kasper Schmeichel.
Denmark host Macedonia next month in the World Cup playoffs, should the Danes win, they will face either Czechia or the Republic of Ireland for a place in this summers tournament.
Hermanson admits it would be a dream to represent his country at the World Cup this year, but says he hasn’t been thinking about it all that much:
“I haven’t really been thinking of the future so much lately,” said Hermansen, who was part of Denmark’s squad at UEFA Euro 2024. “Now I’m just trying to stay in the present and try to just focus on the games and then see where it goes.
“Of course, I still haven’t played for Denmark, for the senior national team, and that’s a big dream of mine, so to do that and go to the World Cup would be incredible!”
West Ham’s big week
Coming off the back of a 2-0 win over Burnley and 1-1 draw with Manchester United, things don’t get easier for the Hammers.
This weekend they take on in form AFC Bournemouth, before heading to Liverpool seven days later. The Irons know time is running out, and with Nottingham Forest playing the latter with Vitor Pereira now in place – know they need to take this opportunity.
West Ham are currently three points from safety, hoping a win this weekend can close that gap.
