West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma wearing boot for injury and unlikely to play v Tottenham
West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma is currently wearing a boot for his injury and will be unlikely to feature for David Moyes’ side against Tottenham this Sunday (19 February), according to Claret and Hugh.
The Hammers defender has experienced a rotten run of injuries this season and was sidelined after the 2-0 win over Everton in January with a thigh injury.
ExWHUemployee claimed in his Patreon update on 24 January that Zouma had reported bruising to his thigh after the victory at the London Stadium, and following a scan, the severity of the issue was magnified.
The injury to the Frenchman, alongside that of Nayef Aguerd and Aaron Cresswell, has left Moyes extremely short-staffed at the back – with Angelo Ogbonna possibly going to be the only fit centre-back option for the trip to Spurs.
Journalist Hughie Southon wrote: “We understand that the big central defender is currently wearing a boot and as a result hugely unlikely to be available for the game against Spurs.”
January failings
The bitter injury news to both Zouma and Aguerd raises the question as to why West Ham sanctioned the exit of Craig Dawson in January and didn’t bring in a suitable replacement.
With Zouma having a well renowned injury record since moving to the London Stadium, it must have been clear to Moyes and the board that they would be short of personnel in the closing stages of the season, yet they didn’t act.
It isn’t as though the club are safe from relegation, and they can amble their way towards the summer with a makeshift backline. The pressure is well and truly on the Hammers every week at the moment to pick up results; otherwise they could be dragged into a worrying relegation dogfight.
Moyes will have to adapt and shift his team to make up for the injuries, with a move to a back-four most likely due to the lack of centre-backs.
Ogbonna will have to step up and lead the defensive line in Zouma and Aguerd’s absence – an option which will strike fear into the hearts of West Ham’s fanbase.