Suggestions that Issa Diop will be off in the January transfer window have been flatly denied.
Diop has often been linked with a move to Manchester United, Chelsea, Spurs and more recently Liverpool but the Hammers defender is allegedly going nowhere according to the manager and those around him.
The gaffer has made it clear regularly the Frenchman is going nowhere but his decision to use Craig Dawson last night raised doubts over Diop’s future..
Moyes is said to be impressed with Angelo Ogbonna, Fabian Balbuena, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop in training and believes it is healthy for the four to complete for the two available places.
However, it has to be added that Moyes is incredibly secretive about these matters – an example coming when he claimed Mikey Antonio was doubtful to be included in the squad for the Southampton.
Not only was he in the squad but made a 15 minute appearance so we will adopt a wait and see attitude on this and other pronouncements from the boss.
And with just three PL appearances behind him this season there will remain a suspicion that Diop business may be on despite the regular denials.
I certainly hope this is the case. He is our youngest centre back and has the most pace. CBs improve their positional play with experience and come sometimes get away with a lack of pace, but I have noticed in games where we have to chase a match, like against Man U or late on against Chelsea we were very exposed for pace at the back and it’s in those situations that Diop would be a better option.
Diop is young and part of the future. He still makes mistakes and will mature, like most CBs, over time.
Would be nice to have four great forwards fighting for one place as moyes won’t ever play 2 up top. 😂⚒️
I for one don’t think it is bad to have 4 central defenders fighting for places. Diop has not played to the levels he showed when he first arrived at the club and when you look back at footage of goals conceded he has been at fault for quite a few. His positional sense has not been good his awareness has been suspect
Moyes played diop recently while new signing Dawson sat on the bench. I think it’s healthy to give both the centrebacks that normally sit on the bench a run out. Plus Dawson wouldn’t have signed for us just to sit on the bench. An experienced premier league centreback he would have been training hard and believing he could work his way into the team.
Great to see competition at centre back with good players. It’s what we set out for in the summer. Diop is our youngest and quickest centre back, so surely we keep him and build?