West Ham manager David Moyes may consider dropping centre-back Nayef Aguerd, according to The Athletic‘s Roshane Thomas.
The Moroccan international’s place in the starting lineup is under threat following the arrival of Konstantinos Mavropanos in the summer, and there is a good chance that he won’t play in the Europa League against Backa Topola.
If Mavropanos does well on Thursday night, the former Arsenal player could keep his place for the Liverpool game and fans on X are split on whether such a change in defence is wise:
Are u kidding
— 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑎 🇲🇦 (@samirahz22) September 20, 2023
👍🏼 It’s time for the Greek king
— TD⚒ (@tom_deal6) September 20, 2023
Ridiculous
— Jack Buck (@jackbuck123) September 20, 2023
If mavropanos has a great game tomorrow I'd definitely consider him for liverpool
— Mitchell Hicks (@WesthamMitchell) September 20, 2023
Apart from the city game (which we was bound to lose eitherway) I don't see why he's dropping him
— NeonListed (@NeonListed) September 20, 2023
Fair enough shouldn't be scared to drop players
— ⚒️JackAKAEclipse⚒️ (@Brokenandcursed) September 20, 2023
There’s just no way. He’s been so so class next to Zouma
— A Real MFFL (@ARealMFFL) September 20, 2023
Errors have crept into Aguerd’s game
The 27-year-old’s mistimed header against Manchester City at the weekend led to the visitors scoring their crucial second goal. That mistake came very soon after his sending-off against Chelsea.
After a couple of disappointing performances against Manchester United (in the FA Cup) and Newcastle in the last few months of last season as well, there is a feeling that Moyes might be tempted to try starting someone else alongside Kurt Zouma.
West Ham do have plenty of options in the centre of defence
Mavropanos is not the only player that manager David Moyes will look at if he decides to bench Aguerd in upcoming games.
As shown by his performance against Brighton, Angelo Ogbonna can still do a job despite being 35 years of age, while Thilo Kehrer can also be deployed at centre-half if needed.
For now, Aguerd will likely keep his place but the Moroccan will know he can’t afford to make any more errors.
