Vladimir Coufal at mercy of Lopetegui at West Ham United after Czechia horror show
Aaron Wan-Bissaka must be the clear first-choice at right-back for Julen Lopetegui after his West Ham team-mate Vladimir Coufal’s performance on international duty.
Coufal was booked for a tactical shove on winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just 16 minutes into the Czech Republic’s match against Georgia, and that set the tone as the home side won 4-1 in Tbilisi.
The 32-year-old full-back was walking a tightrope through the rest of the game as Georgia ran riot, surging into a 4-0 lead before Lukas Kalvach pulled one back for the Czechs in the final 10 minutes.
With Coufal all at sea in a defence ripped apart by Kvaratskhelia and co, Julen Lopetegui has to see his performance as one which rubber-stamps Wan-Bissaka’s role as the Hammers’ first choice right-back.
Julen Lopetegui can no longer start Vladimir Coufal at West Ham
Despite Wan-Bissaka arriving at the London Stadium to much fanfare amid a £15million switch from Manchester United, Coufal has still been Lopetegui’s preferred choice at right-back thus far.
The 32-year-old has started three of the Irons’ four matches this season, including twice in the Premier League, with Wan-Bissaka given his first start for his new club last time out against Manchester City.
That starting berth in the 3-1 loss to the defending champions should be the first of many – ideally in a row – for Wan-Bissaka, with Coufal’s latest performance showing that he is coming towards the end.
Wingers of Kvaratskhelia’s ilk will cause Premier League full-backs problems aplenty throughout this season, and with Wan-Bissaka famed for his defensive capabilities, starting him is a no-brainer.
Coufal has undoubtedly been a brilliant servant for the Hammers, collecting a European title along the way, but with three back-to-back London derbies coming up, Wan-Bissaka must be given the nod.
In other West Ham news, another new signing has given Lopetegui a selection headache with his exploits on the International stage.
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