Aaron Wan-Bissaka hailed after Tony Cottee surprise at West Ham
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is “100 per cent” West Ham United’s player of the year so far, Tony Cottee has said.
Speaking on talkSPORT with Jeff Stelling (27 January, 8:35am), Cottee sang the praises of the Hammers right-back, having been “surprised” by his play going forward so far this season.
The 27-year-old has already netted two goals this term, the same number as he managed in all competitions across five seasons with Manchester United before signing for £15million last summer.
Stelling started: “Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tony – goodness me, what a signing he’s been.”
Cottee replied: “Player of the season Jeff, for West Ham, without a doubt. There’s been a couple of others that have shown glimpses, but if you’re talking about consistency every week, 100 per cent.
“I’ll tell you where he’s surprised me: going forward, I always knew he was a top, top defender, but I think going forward, he’s brought something different to this West Ham team and I’ve been really impressed.
“He’s been fantastic, he really has.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka becomes a mainstay for West Ham
Given how erratic and inconsistent the Hammers have been at times this term, Wan-Bissaka’s presence and influence on the right flank has been a frequent source of much-needed solidity.
Playing on the right of either a flat-back four or in a wing-back role since Graham Potter took the reins from Julen Lopetegui, Wan-Bissaka’s forward play has provided rare impetus for a sluggish Irons attack.
The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta in particular may be having upticks in form under Potter’s tutelage, but their overall performances this term have been hit-and-miss at best.
Jarrod Bowen has been the man to come up with crucial, game-deciding goals all season long for the Hammers, but with the captain still on the sidelines with injury, Wan-Bissaka and others have stepped up.
Wan-Bissaka has quickly become the exact kind of player whom Potter can build this Irons team around, and after a summer of retrospectively woeful recruitment, at least he has come up trumps.
In other West Ham news, one Irons player can count himself “very lucky” that he wasn’t sent off in their draw at Aston Villa.
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