WHZ View: Declan Rice not the only one impressed by West Ham defender Ogbonna
Angelo Ogbonna was superb for West Ham on Friday night as they won 2-1 against Leeds United away at Elland Road.
Not only did the 32-year-old Italian score the match-winning goal but he also played a key role in West Ham’s back-four as they kept one of the most dangerous attacking sides quiet for large periods of the game.
According to stats by Wyscout, no Premier League has a higher xG than Leeds do this season [22.22] while the Whites also rank third-highest in the league for possession [58.2%].
Even though they’re a newly-promoted side, Marcelo Bielsa’s men can cause any top-flight club an issue when they’re in full flight but fortunately, West Ham manager David Moyes had the measure of the Argentine schemer on Friday.
Leeds only scored because of a cruel law that’s heavily weighted against goalkeepers at penalty kicks. Other than Mateusz Klich’s early spot-kick, it’s hard to point out many huge opportunities the Yorkshire club had on their home turf.
And that is largely down to Ogbonna, who was a colossus in the middle of West Ham’s back-four.
Speaking after the game, and quoted on West Ham’s official website, midfielder Declan Rice sung the praises of his Italian team-mate.
“He is so good,” said Rice. “Honestly, he has just gone to another level this season. He looks like a real top, top centre-half. He always has been, but this season he has really stepped up when it really mattered.
“The reason we are in such good form is because we’ve got two centre-halves and a ‘keeper who are playing out of their skins.”
Stats back Rice up.
According to Wyscout, Ogbonna completed 10 interceptions, 11 recoveries and nine clearances against Leeds.
Those defensive numbers stack up nicely against the Italy international’s averages over 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.
He also won 60 per cent of the aerial duels he challenged for and even managed to chip in a successful cross into the penalty area on top of his goal.
Ogbonna has been an absolute credit to West Ham this season.
If you roll the clocks back a couple of years, you would find it hard to believe a Hammers fan who could picture the Italian being so vital in this defence now.
He’s got two goals in his last three appearances and no player has completed more interceptions than him in the Premier League this term [83].
You could make a case for a lot of players being the first name on Moyes’ team sheet at the moment but Ogbonna would be someone we might not be able to cope without if he gets injured or suspended.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie has reacted to speculation linking Christian Eriksen with a move to the London Stadium.