Ryan Fredericks has opened up on West Ham United training during the international break, sharing Manuel Pellegrini’s tough methods in the two-week break.
The Hammers’ defender revealed how the Chilean has continued to drill his methods in his squad, as they look to continue their form from before the break, in which they won three consecutive games in all competitions.
Fredericks has been an ever-present so far this season, keeping experienced right-back Pablo Zabaleta on the bench in the Premier League.
Speaking in an interview on the club’s official website, Fredericks hit back at the people claiming training is easier when part of the squad are on international duty.
“It’s been really tough,” he said.
“I think people get the perception that the international lads go away and we’re just out there playing head tennis or taking it easy, but that’s definitely not the case.”
“The hardest sessions were the ones at the end of last week. The manager has drilled us into us that we’ve started well, but we still have loads of work to do.”
OPINION
There is no surprise that Pellegrini will be drilling his squad in these two weeks – with the Chilean surely wanting to keep up the form that saw them win consecutive Premier League games. After a winless opening fortnight in the top-flight, the Hammers beat both Norwich City and Watford convincingly to see them enter the top half of the table. Fredericks was the first to come out and shut down any potential rumours regarding their training, and Hammers fans will be happy to see his comments. Training is meant to be tough – both Mauricio Pochettino and Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa are renowned for their tough training regimes and both have had great success. It appears to be working for Fredericks, who is already averaging more tackles, interceptions, and blocks this season compared to the last according to WhoScored. The 26-year-old has also averaged a key pass once every couple of games, with the tough training through the week surely a big factor behind his continued success.
