Konstantinos Mavropanos ‘too similar’ to Kurt Zouma amid lack of West Ham United involvement after £20m move
The reason for Konstantinos Mavropanos’ lack of involvement since arriving at West Ham may be because he is “too similar” to captain Kurt Zouma, according to Paul Brown.
The former Daily Star journalist told GiveMeSport (31 October) that the Greek defender’s single minute of action in the Premier League could be down to being seen as the “understudy” for the Frenchman, whose position “still looks pretty safe”.
Despite David Moyes apparently being frustrated with Nayef Aguerd’s erratic form he has restricted the £20million summer signing [Evening Standard, 21 August] to four full games in the Europa League and Carabao Cup, but Brown says it would not be a “huge surprise” for him to come into the side soon.
Brown said: “I wonder if part of the reason why he’s not in the team is because he is regarded as the understudy for Kurt Zouma, whose position still looks pretty safe. He was given the captaincy and the club think a lot of him.
“Could Zouma and Mavropanos play together, I suppose is the question? Are they a bit too similar? We’ll see. He’s going to get minutes at some point this season.
“So, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he’s brought in before long.”
Standard Moyes
For some reason the manager always appears to be hesitant to actually use new signings regularly unless he has little other choice.
The fact that James Ward-Prowse has largely been a success for the Hammers from the off should perhaps have taught him that if the club is going to spend millions to strengthen the squad they won’t be able to do so if they are on the bench.
The Englishman and Edson Alvarez have seen a solid amount of action because the exits of Declan Rice and Flynn Downes has given the manager no alternative.
But his sparing use of Mohammed Kudus has frustrated some supporters, and just as with the likes of Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet a year ago begs the question of why the money is spent if the Scot won’t trust them.
Zouma has developed into the leading option at the back so it is probably little surprise that Mavropanos hasn’t dislodged him, but injuries have struck the defence repeatedly so perhaps the former Bayer Leverkusen man is primarily cover.
But with Aguerd, good defender as he is, seen as culpable for goals in defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool perhaps the new man deserves a run in the Premier League.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are “determined” in the hunt to sign a big-money striker who is set for a Premier League return in January.