Julen Lopetegui already has West Ham United problem as Konstantinos Mavropanos set for exit
Julen Lopetegui will want to make several changes at West Ham as he replaces David Moyes this summer, and Konstantinos Mavropanos could be an enforced one.
According to Calcio Mercato [2 April], the 26-year-old defender is already considering departing the London Stadium this summer despite signing for the club just last year.
The defensive third of the pitch has certainly been an issue under Moyes this season, with only Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United conceding more, and the Greek has been a part of that.
However, having only started 16 of the Hammers’ 38 league matches, Mavropanos has not been given a fair shot in London yet and proved against Manchester City exactly what he is capable of.
When the alternatives are Kurt Zouma, who has been criticised throughout the season, and Nayef Aguerd, who looks set to leave the club this summer, Lopetegui needs to ensure that at least one big-name defender stays.
Mavropanos is certainly a player who can shine under the correct leadership, impressing during his time in the Bundesliga with VfB Stuttgart before West Ham bought him for £17million [The Athletic].
Julen Lopetegui must keep Konstantinos Mavropanos at West Ham United
Despite facing a 3-1 defeat to Man City on the final day of the season, making up a back-three with Zouma and Aaron Cresswell, Mavropanos finished the season with his head held high.
Up against the likes of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne, the centre-back won 100 per cent of his tackles, 75 per cent of his ground duels and 100 per cent of his aerial duels [FotMob].
Considering the Hammers’ disappointing defensive record this season, those numbers cannot be ignored against one of the best attacks in the Premier League, especially one that was crowned champions for a fourth consecutive campaign.
Though his pass rate was considerably lower than Zouma and Cresswell’s, with 78 per cent accuracy, Mavropanos ranks in the top 55 percentile for progressive passes among centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues [FBref].
In comparison, as per FBref, Zouma only ranks in the bottom four percentile for progressive passes, making the Greek a much better fit for Lopetegui’s new style of football that he is bound to implement.
Despite this, it seems that the 26-year-old could be on his way out of London this summer, and Lopetegui must act fast if he is to keep the centre-back at the club ahead of a difficult transition into the 2024/25 season.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie has questioned the Hammers’ transfer spending and mooted a possible David Sullivan exit.
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