West Ham: Sky Sports pundit blasts Kurt Zouma after what he did v Freiburg
Dean Ashton has blasted Kurt Zouma for his role in Freiburg’s match-winning goal as West Ham lost 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday 7 March.
The Frenchman has faced a lot of criticism this season with many Hammers fans calling for the defender to be dropped from David Moyes’ starting XI.
Despite remaining as the club’s captain, Zouma will have done himself no favours after switching off in the build-up to Michael Gregoritsch’s late winner.
Speaking live via Sky Sports News on Thursday (7 March, 9:39pm), Ashton said: “As a forward, you have to gamble on where the ball might go, and it gets pulled back as a bobbling ball.
“Zouma just completely switches off, like he doesn’t know he’s there, or doesn’t anticipate – it’s an easy tap-in. West Ham will be frustrated.”
Does Kurt Zouma deserve a spot in West Ham United’s starting XI?
Zouma has continued to make errors throughout the season, but Moyes has remained trusting in the 29-year-old. It could be time for another defender to be given an opportunity, with another player handed the captain’s armband.
Despite a generally sloppy performance by Konstantinos Mavropanos, the Greek centre-back has shown himself to be a much more calming presence in defence, and more importantly, does not switch off in the key moments.
With a thumping header against Everton on Saturday 2 March, the centre-back finally looked to be turning a corner. However, he has sent himself straight back to the start with his mistake against Freiburg.
Moyes is currently in a predicament with his current defenders at the London Stadium. 35-year-old Angelo Ogbonna was the only option for the Scot to fall back on, with Nayef Aguerd nowhere to be seen on the night.
A brand-new centre-half must be on the wishlist this summer, as the club continue to show no signs of young talents being brought through from the academy.
Though he has started 23 of West Ham’s 27 league matches so far, the clock could be ticking down on his career in London.
In other West Ham news, a Sky Sports pundit has blasted the Hammers fans after what they did to Moyes.
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