Manuel Pellegrini has spoken out in praise of West Ham captain Mark Noble.
The midfielder signed a new contract that will tie him to the Hammers until 2021.
Speaking about the 31-year-old, as quoted by the BBC, the Chilean said: “I think his new contract is very positive for him and for the club.
“Mark has made a big career here and I think he deserves the chance to finish his career here too.
“He knows about this club. In the dressing room, I think it’s important for new players who arrive to have him.
“He is a very important player for West Ham and he demonstrates that every game for me.”
OPINION
There are very few one club players left in modern football. Mark Noble is, without question, one of the most fiercely loyal professionals in the Premier League, and the decision to extend his contract must have been a no-brainer for the Hammers. At 31, he still has years to give, and there’s nobody who would give as much or with as much passion as he will over that period. Noble is Mr. West Ham, an academy graduate who, aside from two brief loan spells, has played his whole career in claret and blue. Realistically, the new deal he’s been given could probably be his last, but there’s no reason to believe it will be the end of his affiliation with the club. The midfielder could easily go on to coach, as is so common nowadays, and Pellegrini will recognise that there is nobody who knows the club and it’s inner workings as well as Noble does.