Troy Deeney slams Kurt Zouma after what he did for West Ham United v Arsenal
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Troy Deeney slams Kurt Zouma after what he did for West Ham United v Arsenal

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Troy Deeney has slammed West Ham defender Kurt Zouma for a "really poor" moment during the 6-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday 11 February.

The Frenchman was hooked at half-time by David Moyes as the Hammers shipped four goals in the opening 45 minutes before Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice added another two in the second half.

Despite conceding six goals at London Stadium, Deeney was more interested in pointing out Zouma's lack of desire to push his team up the pitch and attack the opposition.

Speaking via BBC's Match of the Day 2, the former Watford striker said: "The two boys at the front [Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus] set up to counterattack, but the two centre-backs go, 'Oh, thank god. We can have a breather.'"

"They're behind the goalkeeper. There's no desire from the rest of the team to get the ball. And as it continues, Kurt Zouma, I feel like we're going at him a lot, he's really poor. But no one is in any position to help him out."

Kurt Zouma's poor day at the West Ham office

As the club's captain, there are much higher expectations on the shoulders of Zouma, who has been with the Hammers since arriving from Chelsea in August 2021.

Instead of attempting to take a leadership role against the Gunners, however, he was more interested in catching his breath and slowing the play, even despite the capitulation at the back.

The 29-year-old certainly has the ability to be a quality Premier League centre-back but has been making far too many mistakes amid a huge dip in form at West Ham.

Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd were both spotted behind Alphonse Areola after the goalkeeper claimed a corner.
Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd were both spotted behind Alphonse Areola after the goalkeeper claimed a corner.

He was a key part of the Hammers surviving Premier League relegation last season, as well as helping lead the side to the Europa Conference League title. There seems to be a drop in confidence amongst a few of the players, and Zouma is one of the worst affected.

With Konstantinos Mavropanos and Angelo Ogbonna waiting in the wings, the centre-back needs a rapid improvement over the next couple of games or he could be replaced in the starting XI.

In other West Ham news, a journalist has made a “light a fire” prediction on an exit-linked Hammers player.

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Arsenal
Troy Deeney
Kurt Zouma
West Ham
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