Journalist shares Said Benrahma ‘problem’ at West Ham United under David Moyes
West Ham United forward Said Benrahma is having to “control his feelings” and “not lash out” over his lack of game time so far this season under David Moyes, according to Dean Jones.
Former Eurosport journalist, speaking to GiveMeSport (29 September) insisted that the Algerian international will be “feeling let down” whenever he is nudged down the pecking order at the London Stadium, such is the fierce competition in David Moyes’ improved squad which may be a problem for several of his teammates.
The former Brentford forward has started five games in all competitions so far this season with just 303 minutes of Premier League action under his belt since the new campaign got underway after playing an integral role throughout last season.
Jones believes that Benrahma is having to stay calm over his lack of opportunities but has to make sure he is making the most of the chances when they present themselves as he has dealt with “again and again”.
He said: “Well, it’s a problem that Said Benrahma has again and again, and he’s having to control his own feelings and not lash out when he probably feels like he should be in the team.
“And he’s also having to stay calm so that when he gets the opportunities, he actually makes the most of them.
“Obviously, he’s going to be feeling down whenever he is nudged down the pecking order at West Ham, but it’s such seems to be the story of his life at West Ham, and he’s dealt with it again and again, and he just has to keep on bouncing back and proving that he deserves more game time.”
Tough spot now
New arrivals such as Mohammed Kudus, James Ward-Prowse and Konstantinos Mavropanos not only provide some brilliant depth to this West Ham United squad but should also serve as a warning to every player at the club that they can be displaced.
Improved squad depth will be valuable to the Hammers as they look to compete across all four tournaments this season, including in Europe, but it could leave some players fearing for their first-team place.
And that fear has certainly fallen on Benrahma especially after his crucial role for the club last season, playing all of 50 games as they triumphed in the Europa Conference League.
Such is the tough competition in Moyes’ squad right now after he suffered from a depleted attacking unit last season, Benrahma will now have to fight for his place and prove why he deserves more minutes at the London Stadium.
With the emergence of talents, Kudus and Mavropanos in particular, in positions that the Hammers already have settled names in, they have added competition and an added drive to the squad.
This should well mean players will have to improve or risk being left behind.
In other West Ham news, a senior man has reacted badly to his manager’s decision and is now set to leave the club in the near future.