David Moyes considering Declan Rice for defensive role in crucial West Ham fixture versus Lyon
David Moyes has suggested that Declan Rice may be used in central defence for West Ham’s crucial second leg of their Europa League tie against Lyon.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Scot identified the 23-year-old as a likely candidate to replace Kurt Zouma at the heart of the Irons defence, with his usual first choice confirmed to be absent after suffering an ankle problem in the 2-0 loss at Brentford.
The tie is finely balanced following the battling 1-1 draw at the London Stadium after Aaron Cresswell’s sending off, leaving Moyes with few alternative options to call upon across his backline.
“Declan’s played there before and would give us a different dimension. We’ve got that possibility, but we know he’s a big miss if we take him out of the middle of the pitch,” said Moyes.
“We have to consider that. Overall, we have to use what we have.”
Needs Must
The loss of Zouma has thrown a damaging spanner in the works for Moyes ahead of arguably the club’s biggest game of recent times.
With Angelo Ogbonna already ruled out for the season and Issa Diop struggling with patchy form, it’s understandable why the 58-year-old is eyeing up Rice to partner Craig Dawson for the return leg in France.
Rice has many of the physical attributes required for the position, and his ability to carry the ball up the field may prove useful from a deeper role if West Ham come under significant pressure from their hosts.
However it is no doubt a massive blow to call the English international’s duties away from his usual midfield role, where his energy and awareness help to keep the Hammers ticking over in the centre of the park.
It will be interesting to see how Rice is deployed as the tie develops, and hopefully he can provide a telling impact regardless of where he ends up playing on the pitch.
In other West Ham news, the club are reportedly in the race to sign this in-demand forward.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.