Issa Diop stakes claim for West Ham first-team spot with display v Manchester City
By Max Parsons
Issa Diop made 65 Premier League appearances across the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons but, following just 18 games last term, is still yet to get a single minute of league action since the start of this campaign. Angelo Ogbonna has instead been preferred at the back, alongside either Kurt Zouma or Craig Dawson.
Diop’s 180 minutes on the pitch so far this season have come in the League Cup, lasting 90 minutes in both victories over Manchester United and Manchester United respectively. Quite significantly, both ended with clean sheets for West Ham.
And Diop made a statement to manager David Moyes in the Hammers’ eventual penalty shootout win over City on Wednesday night. Against a side who had won the last four editions of the tournament, had registered 13 goals in their last four fixtures and who were a place above them in the league table, West Ham were dominant at the back.
Dawson performed well but it was Diop that proved the standout performer, exhibiting a destructive and authoritative presence at the heart of Moyes’ back line.
Cole Palmer, who has previously been heralded for his outstanding potential and natural flair, was not allowed a moment’s peace or an inch of room throughout his 76-minute stint of the field courtesy of the incessant shadow of Diop presiding over him.
Similarly, the usual darting runs of Ilkay Gundogan were continuously stifled and blocked off, while fierce strikes by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez would simply stand no chance competing with Diop’s immense frame.
The Frenchman was one of West Ham’s best performers on the night – behind the impenetrable Alphonse Areola in goal – with a WhoScored rating of 7.03. The 24-year-old came away from his side’s victory with an impressive tally of three tackles, three clearances and four blocks.
Admittedly, it isn’t exactly like Moyes’ has a crisis on his hands. However, despite sitting fourth in the table, West Ham have conceded ten goals in their opening nine Premier League fixtures.
It’s not calamitous, and it’s not fatal. But Diop’s colossal display against one of the world’s most potent attacking forces on Wednesday is deserving of an opportunity to sure up that backline in the Premier League.
In other West Ham news, this is what Michail Antonio said to Cristian Romero in the win over Tottenham.
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