Credit: Imago/Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Richie Mills

Sun 15 March 2026 12:40, UK

Konstantinos Mavropanos is quietly becoming one of West Ham United‘s most important players in their relegation fight.

The former Arsenal centre-back has been hit and miss at times for West Ham since signing from Stuttgart in 2023.

But since the turn of the year, the 28-year-old has impressed in Nuno Espirito Santo’s backline as they aim to stave off dropping into the Championship.

The towering defender played a huge role in West Ham’s battling 1-1 draw against Man City with a goal and defensive grit on Saturday evening.

The result lifted West Ham out of the relegation zone for the first time since December, as the ex-Gunner gave his old team a big boost in their Premier League title bid.

Konstantinos Mavropanos is proving doubters wrong

Things looked bleak for West Ham when Bernardo Silva put City ahead in the 31st minute at London Stadium on Saturday night.

But Mavropanos’ powerful header from Jarrod Bowen’s corner levelled proceedings four minutes later as West Ham held on for a crucial point.

In addition to his attacking output, he made a remarkable 21 defensive contributions throughout.

Indeed, that included 10 clearances, four blocks, and four interceptions. He also did a good job at largely keeping Erling Haaland relatively quiet.

Mavropanos, who has played 27 times this season and has racked up 2,187 minutes of game time, was not dribbled past once and had a passing accuracy of 83 per cent.

The Greek international has been a derided figure at times.

The big defender has struggled for consistency, and when Axel Disasi joined on loan from Chelsea, some expected him to be relegated to the bench.

While there has not been as much fanfare for him, versus Disasi and centre-back partner Jean-Clair Todibo, Mavropanos may be outshining them both right now as he shines in their back three.

West Ham are now 17th in the Premier League, just one point above the bottom three, but they are the form team among their relegation rivals, with one defeat in their last six league games.

West Ham still face tough run-in

Although West Ham are trending in the right direction, thanks in part to Mavropanos, they are far from safe.

Indeed, relegation rivals Nottingham Forest host Fulham on Sunday, with a win taking them two clear of the Hammers.

Tottenham, who are now level on points with West Ham, are likely to continue their wretched run away to Champions League-chasing Liverpool, while Leeds United travel to a resurgent Crystal Palace.

But, they still have to face a whole host of sides in the top 10, highlighting how much work there still needs to be done.

On the flip side, West Ham still have to play Premier League basement side Wolves, lowly Palace, and Leeds on the last day of the season.

Nuno’s team will hope they don’t need to pick up all three points when that final day fixture rolls around on 24 May.

But for now, they are doing their utmost to make sure that doesn’t happen.