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The Motherwell star and his key skill the HJK rival will never forget from their time at West Ham

· Scott Burns · 2026-08-05 · nguồn gốc

The Motherwell star and his key skill the HJK rival will never forget from their time at West Ham The pair came through the ranks at the Hammers and will face each other in the Conference League HJK loanee Amara Nallo has the inside track on the threat posed by Motherwell’s Emmanuel Longelo, writes Scott Burns in Helsinki. The defender was a few years below the Well star as they came through the ranks at West Ham United. Nallo has since moved on to Liverpool and been sent out to HJK on-loan. He will make his European debut against Longelo’s side in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier in the Bolt Arena.The 19-year-old admitted: “Emmanuel, I remember him coming through at West Ham. He had a lovely left foot and he has a lovely strike, I remember seeing some of his clips. “I know of him although I never got to play with him. He is slightly older than me. I don’t really know him (personally) to speak to but I will still say, ‘Hi’. Knowing your player and the opposition is important when you go into these games." Motherwell might have changed manager and a lot of their team but he expects them to come and play in an attacking style. “Motherwell did very well last season,” the 19-year-old acknowledged. They finished fourth and coming here it is a big game for us. "I heard they were the best playing team last season. As a defender, I need to be aware of those situations. It is good to have all the information so you know what you are up against." HJK and Motherwell clash for the chance to take on Bundesliga side Freiburg in the final play-off round. Nallo is still finding his feet in Helsinki, but is confident the Finns can progress. “We will be aiming for two wins in both games,” the defender insisted. “We are confident. “We believe we can play in the Conference League and we will see how it goes. I want to improve and that Europe exposure is also great on the CV. “It is very good because it gives you European exposure. A lot of clubs will see you and as I said it is good for the CV. “I want to do as much as I can to help the team in Europe and domestically. I have settled in well and adapted well. From the first training session, I saw there was a high intensity. That is good because that is the intensity that Liverpool train at as well. “It will be good for me to improve my game.”