Perhaps the greatest success of a strong transfer window for West Ham was their ability to hold onto key figures amidst the big money additions.

After stellar individuals seasons last term all three of Felipe Anderson, Declan Rice and Issa Diop stayed put at London Stadium over the summer, with the latter linked with a move to Manchester United as they looked to bolster the back line at Old Trafford.

The Hammers remained insistent that they were never going to sell the Frenchman, who shone alongside Fabian Balbuena in his first Premier League season, and he looks to have repaid their faith, insisting his stint in east London is far more than just a stepping stone on the way to bigger and better things.

“West Ham, for me, it was not and is still not a springboard to go elsewhere, it’s the club where I want to try to become the best defender I can be, compared to my qualities," he told France Football.

"Whether technical, tactical, physical, I still have a large margin of progression.”

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Instead of looking to move further up the Premier League, the 22-year-old has his sights set on joining his World Cup winning compatriots.

"It is the performance that I will make in the match that will determine if I have the level to play with Les Bleus (France),” Diop said. “It’s up to me to work. That’s how I see things.

"All very good players go into the national team. Well, if I am very good, it will come if it should come. Obviously it’s a goal, but the proof that I deserve to reach it, it’s me who must give it.

"West Ham, for me, it was not and is still not a springboard to go elsewhere, it’s the club where I want to try to become the best defender I can be, compared to my qualities."