David Moyes has difficult decision to make over Kurt Zouma at West Ham
David Moyes has difficult decision to make over Kurt Zouma at West Ham
Match

West Ham United: David Moyes must strip Kurt Zouma of captain's armband as transfer update emerges

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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Kurt Zouma has been under heavy criticism at West Ham this season, despite being handed the captain's armband by David Moyes.

The Frenchman has featured in 27 of the Hammers' 32 Premier League matches, missing some through injury, and pairing up with one of Nayef Aguerd, Konstantinos Mavropanos or Angelo Ogbonna.

Some fans and some in the media have been mounting heavy pressure on the centre-back, with calls for him to be dropped from the starting XI altogether, but Moyes has remained patient.

The manager has also been criticised throughout the campaign, with the selection of Zouma just one of the things he has been scathed for. The most recent update would suggest that Moyes has no other option but to drop his favourite defender, though.

According to talkSPORT [11 April], West Ham are "ready to listen to offers" for Zouma, with Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo already being targeted ahead of the summer transfer window.

Considering that the defender has played for multiple top clubs like Chelsea and Everton, and still only 29 years of age, fans have come to expect much more of him, which is why some will be glad to see his exit.

Will David Moyes drop Kurt Zouma from the West Ham United starting XI?

Despite the constant comments about Zouma, nobody expects Moyes to bite the bullet and remove him from the starting XI. Defence has been a problem position at the London Stadium this season, with little cover to help out.

Frank McAvennie has even insisted that 35-year-old Ogbonna would be a better choice, dubbing Zouma's performance during the 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United as "embarrassing".

West Ham
West Ham captain Kurt Zouma has struggled for form this season

With important upcoming matches against Bayer Leverkusen and the potential for West Ham to finish in a top-six Premier League spot, Moyes is unlikely to make any changes to his starting XI at this point in the season.

However, on this occasion he should bite the bullet and strip Zouma of the captain's armband and drop him to the bench as West Ham look to finish the campaign on a positive note.

In other West Ham news, £15m striker keen on Premier League move after rejecting contract at current club.

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West Ham United
David Moyes
Kurt Zouma
Tosin Adarabioyo
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