Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah discusses David Moyes role in West Ham United exit
Pierre Ekwah says David Moyes “had his reasons” for not playing him as the midfielder opened up on his move from West Ham to Sunderland.
The 21-year-old joined the Black Cats in January after failing to crack the first team in 18 months at the London Stadium.
Ekwah has had no such trouble making an impact with Championship side Sunderland, having played 24 times for them already since arriving, including all five league games this season.
Asked why West Ham let him leave, Ekwah told The Sunderland Echo [11 September]: “I think it was good recruitment from Sunderland.
“If I didn’t make it, maybe it means I wasn’t ready to get on the pitch. The gaffer had his reasons for me to not play [at West Ham].
“I think that my path, I was meant to be here and that’s it.”
Success story
Ekwah is not the first player to fail to make the grade at Premier League level, before dropping down and becoming a success in the Championship.
The good news for Ekwah is that he is still only 21 and therefore has plenty of years ahead of him.
On the basis of the past eight months, leaving West Ham has certainly done his career no harm as he is now a regular for the Black Cats.
Sunderland have a reputation for giving young talent a chance, none more so than Ekwah.
All that said, Moyes clearly did not see enough in the France U20 international to feel he was worthy of a first-team spot last season.
United were struggling at the time and did not exactly have the luxury of bedding in potential stars of the future, but that is not to say they couldn’t have shown a bit more patience.
If Ekwah continues on his current trajectory, it may well be that he crosses paths with West Ham again one day soon in the Premier League.
In other West Ham news, a young player currently on the Hammers’ books has showed he has the hunger to succeed with recent comments he made.