McAvennie wants Zouma to avoid West Ham sack as he delivers verdict on punishment
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie doesn’t want to see Kurt Zouma sacked by West Ham but would like the defender to be educated over his treatment of his cats.
Zouma, 27, has been vilified over a video that circulated on the internet earlier this month that showed him kicking and hitting his pet cats.
He’s since apologised and the cats have been taken by the RSPCA [Sky Sports] but McAvennie still wants more to be done to educate the French centre-back, who missed the draw at Leicester on Sunday through illness.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I think if he’s fit he will play [against Newcastle on Saturday]. [David] Moyes has shown no problems with playing him.
“I think the talk of sacking him is a bit much, to be honest.
“I think what he needs is education. Let him do some courses with the RSCPA or another charity so he can understand what he did was wrong.
“I’m an animal lover, people know that, and what he did was just horrible but I don’t think you should lose your career for it.
“That’s just me.
“Sit him down and teach him, that’s the only way to sort this.”
Zouma has been a vital player in West Ham’s season and due to Angelo Ogbonna’s season-ending injury, Moyes’ options in the centre-half area are light.
Issa Diop replaced Zouma against Leicester last week and assisted Jarrod Bowen’s goal in the 2-2 draw.
It remains to be seen whether he’ll return on Saturday when Newcastle visit the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, Simon Jordan and Trevor Sinclair clashed in a heated debate over Mark Noble live on talkSPORT.