West Ham United defender Ben Johnson ready to fill in at centre-back v Tottenham – David Moyes
West Ham boss David Moyes has said he has no concerns about starting Ben Johnson at centre-back against Spurs amid the Hammers’ current defensive injury woes.
The East Londoners have been ravaged by defensive injuries throughout this season, and currently have both Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd out of action again, with Moyes preferring a 3-man central defence.
The Hammers academy product has been in and out of the team so far this campaign amassing just 551 minutes of Premier League football across ten appearances.
And Moyes admits the defender has suffered a dip in form this season but has improved in recent weeks despite not getting the game time he feels he deserves.
Speaking to Football.London [18 February], he said: “I’ve got to say Ben’s come on and done well.
“He’s had a couple of games where I didn’t [bring him on]. But he’s training really well at the moment and he’s just got himself into a wee bit better place than a month or two ago, he’s looking a bit better.
“I’ve got no qualms about playing Ben. He played at Derby and has had a few minutes since then so hopefully, we can keep getting him some time.”
Moyes also added he likes versatility in his squad and insisted Johnson is ready to fill in for Aguerd if needed, saying:
“I think Ben’s got the capability of being a centre-back in a three or a full-back or a wing-back as well so he gives me that option.
“The biggest thing about Ben is he can play on the right and the left – he’s probably as able on both sides. England Under-21s international who is doing okay.”
Big test
Sunday’s encounter will be a big test for Johnson who hasn’t had the best of campaigns after his breakthrough season last term. He will be up against the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Harry Kane in Aguerd’s absence which in some cases, could be a recipe for disaster.
However, the 23-year-old has constantly proven he is capable of the big tests ever since his breakthrough in David Moyes’ side. Whichever position he plays in, Johnson will perform to his best, Moyes will have no doubt about that.
Aguerd has been a huge asset in recent weeks, with his fitness coinciding with the Hammers’ upturn in form in the past few weeks, but this is certainly a game they need to keep up the momentum, against a stuttering Spurs too.
Johnson certainly has big shoes to fill if Aguerd isn’t fit on Sunday, but it will be a chance for the young defender to prove to Moyes that he’s got what it takes to be a future leading defender at the London Stadium.