Credit: Imago

Mark Smith

Thu 12 March 2026 19:10, UK

Nayef Aguerd has continued to shine away from West Ham United.

The Moroccan defender never quite fit at the London Stadium, and a loan move to Real Sociedad was followed by a permanent move to Marseille in the summer.

Aguerd did play twice under Graham Potter in the Premier League, but a move away was always likely.

In his time in East London this season, Aguerd did feature alongside El Hadji Malick Diouf, following his arrival from Slavia Prague.

They clearly formed a good bond in a short time, with injury news now hitting them hard.

Nayef Aguerd undergoes surgery as West Ham reacts

Aguerd has sadly revealed that he has been in unbearable pain for months now, whether morning, afternoon or night.

The former West Ham star has now undergone surgery after admitting that medical protocols to prevent the pain were no longer working.

After taking to his personal Instagram account, Diouf was quick to respond.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Achraf Hakimi were also among the big names to send their best wishes to Aguerd after his personal blow.

Kurt Zouma was another player with past West Ham allegiances to wish their former teammate from the London Stadium well.

How has Malick Diouf performed at West Ham?

Although it hasn’t been the best of seasons for the Hammers, Diouf is certainly a positive.

Thankfully, Nuno Espirito Santo has transformed his side in 2026 and now has them on the brink of leaving the relegation zone, with the left-back also playing a huge role.

With five assists already, his latest coming at Anfield against Liverpool, Diouf will be pivotal to Nuno and the Irons between now and May if they are to survive.

With Aaron Wan-Bissaka also flying down the opposite side, the improved defensive effort of this West Ham outfit has certainly unleashed their full-backs going the other way.

Manchester City are next up for the Irons on Saturday at the London Stadium, and any success could come from crosses into the box and counterattacks down each flank.

That should see Diouf, especially, thrive on and off the ball enough to worry Pep Guardiola and his troops as they seek another Premier League title.