Gary Lineker shares Divin Mubama verdict on MOTD after West Ham United win v Burnley
Gary Lineker has claimed Divin Mubama should be given more game time by David Moyes and the 19-year-old made his first significant contribution of the season for West Ham against Burnley.
Mubama came off the bench in the 62nd minute to replace the struggling Danny Ings and thought he had his first Premier League goal in claret and blue before it was ultimately ruled an own goal by Dara O’Shea.
The striker has been in talks over a new deal lately after talks broke down over an initial offer [The Athletic, 30 October], and if he can earn more playing time under David Moyes, any issues could be put aside.
Speaking to Match of the Day [25 November, 33:37], Mubama said: “Yeah, I just went inside and checked my phone and yeah, it was an OG. Obviously [I’m] delighted to get on the pitch and my first proper minutes of the season under the gaffer and hopefully this is the beginning to many more appearances.”
Lineker then responded in the studio, insisting: “Well, if he keeps playing like that… There’s no question he was one of the stars of the day wasn’t he?”
He will make himself impossible to ignore
Moyes’ reluctance to give Mubama any significant game time this season was a decision massively frustrating not only West Ham fans but the player himself, with contract talks breaking down over the issue, but with minutes under his belt, he could make himself impossible to ignore.
It was a statement from the 19-year-old that, even if the goal was ultimately ruled against him, his impact on the pitch got the Hammers back into the game in the 86th minute when they had previously struggled to threaten going forward.
Mubama is one of the brightest prospects to come out of the academy in recent years and, given the injury to Michail Antonio, will see this as his chance to make his mark on the team and secure more regular football.
David Sullivan was reported to be pushing forward with the contract talks after taking them on himself, with a meeting to take place before Christmas, but that may well be sped up after his impact here.
In other West Ham news, a star player stepped up yesterday with a 100% display amid an injury crisis.