Garth Crooks wowed by ‘outstanding’ Kurt Zouma in West Ham United win v Luton Town
Garth Crooks was wowed by Kurt Zouma’s performance as West Ham United beat Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Friday (1 September).
The Hammers beat the Premier League newcomers 2-1 thanks to goals from Jarrod Bowen and the Frenchman after he rose the highest in the area to power home an excellent James Ward-Prowse corner in the final minutes of the contest.
But it was the 28-year-old’s defensive work that caught the eye of Crooks as he signalled him out in his BBC Sport Team of the Week for flying under the radar in David Moyes’ excellent start to the season.
Discussing the defender’s extraordinary appearance for the BBC on Sunday (3 September) he wrote: “He’s played in all of West Ham’s games this season and been quietly effective in every single one.
“Zouma was the outstanding defender for the Hammers in their 2-1 win against a Luton Town side that is, so far, just making up the Premier League numbers. This victory was as comfortable for West Ham as it gets.”
Defence is key
So much of the summer transfer window saw West Ham linked with Harry Maguire with constant speculation over whether the England defender would make the switch to the London Stadium in search of regular first-team football.
For whatever reason, Maguire opted against making the move, but while Zouma and the rest of the Irons’ backline are playing like they are at the moment, there will be very few wishing that the England defender was lining up in claret and blue this season.
Zouma has always been a more than able defender, capable of the most incredible performances, but also the occasional comical disaster, but this season he has been an absolute brick wall for the Hammers as they have started so well.
Luton won’t be the toughest opponent anyone in the Premier League faces this season, but Zouma’s goal will help him finally get the recognition he deserves for his recent displays.
A huge reason the Hammers currently sit fourth in the Premier League is that they have only conceded four goals so far this season, thanks to the inspired form of Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd and Zouma.
In other West Ham news, Paul Merson has been left questioning how one Hammers player didn’t make the England squad