View: West Ham United boss David Moyes took big risk with Kurt Zouma last night
David Moyes took a huge risk starting West Ham centre-back Kurt Zouma in last night’s [April 28] Europa League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Hammers lost the first leg of their semi-final clash 2-1 against the Bundesliga outfit at the London Stadium last night with it all to play for in the second leg.
Having passed a late fitness test, Zouma was backed to start against the Germans and played the whole game but it wasn’t without any scares.
The France international went to the ground on several occasions in the second-half needing treatment and was moving very gingerly which left many unconvinced he is 100% fit.
Admittedly, Moyes was somewhat forced into starting the 27-year-old with him and Craig Dawson the only fit centre-back’s currently in the squad. Hopefully, he came through the game unscathed and remains fit from now until the end of the season as the Hammers look to make European history.
Crisis.
Make no mistake, every West Ham fan breathed a big sigh of relief when they saw Zouma in the starting line-up. He has been the best defender in the team by far this season and when he has been absent, the defence has not looked the same.
It was crucial that Moyes had all of his best players on the pitch last night against a very good Frankfurt side but it was very risky playing him for the full 90 even after the Frenchman showed worrying signs.
The Irons medical team must have been confident he was fit enough and so far it looks as if the gamble paid off with no injury news being good news ahead of the Arsenal clash this weekend where the boss faces yet another massive call in defence.
Surely Zouma isn’t fit to go again having only just returned – that would be too dangerous – and with Dawson seeing red against Chelsea last time out, the Hammers have zero fit senior central defenders.
It shouldn’t matter too much with the Europa League now the biggest priority but the weak state of the squad is a cause for concern.
In other West Ham news, BT duo stunned by “outstanding” West Ham ace that everyone in the dressing room can learn from.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.