Axel Disasi has spoken about being frozen out at Chelsea during the first half of the season, prior to his loan move to West Ham.
The 27-year-old was not included in the Blues’ Premier League squad and did not make his first appearance of the season until February 7, shortly after joining the Hammers.
"If I say everything, maybe I will get into trouble, but it was tough. It was very tough to be watching every single week, every single weekend the games on the TV,” he said, speaking after West Ham reached the FA Cup quarter-finals with a shootout win over Brentford.
"I was just working, waiting for my time and that's why now I'm just enjoying because I know what it feels like to be in front of the TV and not on the pitch.
"I learned to be more patient, to stay professional, even if the circumstances were hard. I had the help of my family and they helped me a lot to stay in good shape.
"I try to enjoy every moment because I know it's not guaranteed."
Disasi has since played seven times in all competitions for the Hammers, helping them to keep three clean sheets in five league games.
"At the moment, I'm on the pitch, it's very nice,” he added.
“All the players want to be on the pitch. Everyone knows, before, it was not the case for me, but I'm just enjoying being on the pitch.
"Here, as well, I find a very friendly atmosphere and I really enjoy it.
"He [Nuno Espirito Santo] just convinced me by playing me. It's this I needed.
“Especially to play in my position, because it's something I missed last season when I was playing out of position. He lets me express myself and I'm happy for that and I hope I will keep going like this."
Asked about whether he would consider staying beyond this season, Disasi said: "There's still nine games to go! I don't want to think about this for the moment, I just want to enjoy my time."
And his World Cup aims with France?
“I played the last one (in 2022). Every player wants to play at the World Cup, but as life has taught me in the first part of the season, you never know what can happen. Every weekend I play hard to be in the best position, but life sometimes gives you some surprises."