Jacob Steinberg shares verdict on Nayef Aguerd ahead of West Ham United v Sheffield United clash
Jacob Steinberg believes David Moyes’ patience could be “wearing thin” on Nayef Aguerd after several key defensive mistakes for West Ham United and he could be dropped for Saturday’s game against Sheffield United.
The Hammers host the newly promoted Blades at the London Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday (30 September) looking to correct the wrongs of previous defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool.
Moroccan international, signed for £30m (Sky Sports) from Rennes in the summer of 2022 has endured a difficult past few weeks in Moyes’ side, especially after gifting a needless penalty against Liverpool last weekend when he tripped Mohamed Salah in the box.
Moyes was already unhappy with Aguerd after his missed header last weekend let Julian Alvarez in to score as Manchester City inflicted the Irons’ first defeat of the campaign.
And Steinberg, writing in his piece for The Guardian (29 September) in their preview of this weekend’s games, believes West Ham United now have competition for places with Konstantinos Mavropanos available which could mean Aguerd may be dropped with the defender lacking concentration after the summer interest from Saudi Arabia.
He wrote: “Nayef Aguerd has to improve when it comes to the basics. The defender is comfortable on the ball and exhibits impressive recovery speed but he has made too many errors since joining West Ham in the summer of 2022. David Moyes’s patience must be wearing thin.
“Sometimes it seems as if Aguerd, who has had interest from the Saudi Pro League, is suffering from a lack of concentration.
“This season the Morocco international has been sent off against Chelsea after picking up a second booking for a mistimed challenge, been at fault for a crucial goal against Manchester City and given away a penalty against Liverpool, who beat West Ham 3-1 last weekend.
“It is not good enough from a player who cost £30m and it could lead to him being dropped.”
Under threat
Aguerd was exceptional last season as the Hammers achieved an unthinkable Europa Conference League win but he’s failed to even reach close to his achievements from the past few weeks.
He looks like a shadow of his old self and the summer interest from the Saudi Pro League could well have had a huge impact on his current form.
He’s picking up suspensions, making numerous errors and costing his side more often than that with three critical and costly errors already this season which has led to those Moyes doubts.
It remains to be seen whether the Moroccan will be dropped for the Sheffield United game on Saturday, but if he doesn’t get his act together quickly, he may well be axed in no time at all.
Mavropanos impressed on his first start against Lincoln City and is certainly gearing up for a regular berth in the Premier League, and it is most likely to be at Aguerd’s expense.
An unbelievable problem for Moyes to consider ahead of Saturday and beyond.
In other West Ham news, a senior man has reacted badly to his manager’s decision and is now set to leave the club in the near future.