Alex Kral in line for rare West Ham start amid David Moyes injury crisis
David Moyes could hand rare appearances to Alex Kral at centre-back due to a defensive injury crisis at West Ham, according to The Times.
The newspaper reports that Issa Diop could potentially join Angelo Ogbonna in being ruled out for the rest of the season while there’s also no return date for Kurt Zouma’s ankle injury.
It is understood that as Craig Dawson is the only fit centre-back among Moyes’ senior options, the Hammers manager could turn to a full-back to play in the middle of his back-four.
Or, The Times adds, 23-year-old midfielder Kral could be called upon to slot in at centre-half.
West Ham play Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday before welcoming Frankfurt to the London Stadium next Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
Risky
Kral hasn’t played for two months and there’s a good reason why.
Moyes looked to continue his good form of signing Czech players in the summer when he agreed a loan-to-buy deal with Spartak Moscow for Kral.
However, since his arrival in East London, the former Slavia Prague midfielder has failed to impress and only managed to make a measly six appearances for the Irons.
Kral has played just one minute of Premier League football this season when he was substituted into the win over Watford on 28 December and has been an unused substitute in the league since.
It would be a huge risk to play a player out of position who hasn’t played for months and hasn’t really excelled in his natural position.
Kral has, however, played at centre-back previously in his career with stats by transfermarkt showing that he did so regularly at former club Teplice.
It’s down to Moyes, ultimately. But this is an issue that’s come about due to West Ham’s terrible decision to not sign anyone in January.
In other West Ham news, the Irons can sign this £10million player on a deal worth £120,000-a-week.
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