ExWHUemployee: West Ham United delayed Kurt Zouma knee operation
ExWHUemployee has revealed West Ham United delayed Kurt Zouma’s knee surgery with the club hoping he would recover naturally.
Zouma is set for a considerable spell on the sidelines after West Ham confirmed (24 November) the 28-year-old is to undergo surgery on the problem.
However, Ex has since suggested the injury was picked up when the defender underwent medical tests before his move to the London Stadium.
“He picked up the same injury last year and there was a massive dilemma as to whether he would need an operation then, Zouma was quite adamant he would like to recover the natural way, as in resting the knee,” said ExWHUemployee (West Ham Way, 27 November).
“This was originally decided as the course of action to happen with this time round. With a big gap before the Arsenal game, it seemed logical.
“Then after doing some light fitness work and further tests the decision was then changed to need an operation. How long the player is out for nobody knows, the club included.”
He added: “The information I obtained about being available for the Boxing Day game came right from the very top and shows that initially this was the plan and the same plan had been shared with many other media outlets.
“A positive is Zouma has recovered quicker than expected in the past and hopefully this could be the case again. Without any evidence, though I would now imagine the game against Arsenal is much more unlikely to see his return in now.”
Not looking good
Zouma looks set to be out of action for a considerable amount of time, and the Hammers should take some of the responsibility after failing to take the right course of action when it came to his knee problem. If he had undergone surgery straightaway the Frenchman would be back in action and fully fit for David Moyes’ side.
His absence may well see the West Ham boss delve into the transfer market, with Craig Dawson also set to leave the club in the winter window. Dawson has made no secret of his desire to move back up north closer to his family. Nayef Aguerd is getting there in terms of his performance and fitness and will only improve as his West Ham career progresses.
The Moroccan will have to step up after Zouma’s injury, with Thilo Kehrer potentially moving back into the centre of defence after spending time in the right-back role.
Things are going from bad to worse for Moyes at the moment with pressure starting to mount after a lacklustre start to their Premier League campaign.