Quite how the communication went between player and club at the end of the last international break, we may never know: Suffice to say West Ham were not best pleased that one of their stalwarts was not back in time to take part in the FA Cup quarter final against Leeds United.
Aaron Wan- Bissaka – Hammer of the Year last year – was ‘requested’ by Presidential decree to delay his return and join the DR Congo’s official open top bus tour to celebrate his nation’s qualification for the summer ’26 World Cup. The result was that he was several days late in returning.
As it was, in his absence, Nuno Espírito Santo called upon Wan Bissaka’s understudy at right back Kyle Walker Peters for both the cup game – and Friday’s Premier League game Wolves in which Walker Peters excelled.
Walker Peters – excelled in West Ham’s victory against bottom side Wolves
Walker Peters was roundly praised for performed adeptly, and in particular looked able to move the team further up the pitch with some intelligent passing and running.
The former Southampton player, who joined on a free transfer in the summer received an “8.1′ rating from whoscored.com, whilst some West Ham fan sites claimed ‘ a new cult figure’ was born at West Ham.
That seems a little excessive for the diminutive right back but on his current form it will be Wan-Bissaka who sits out the remainder of the season if ‘KWP’ continues to impress. He does offer more going forward and yet looked solid in defence despite not having the telescopic Wan-Bissaka legs for those ‘go-go-gadget’ tackles.
Likely Wan-Bissaka may come to regret the unscheduled stop-over which the President of Congo insisted on for his triumphant team: It could well cost him his place for the remainder of this Premier League campaign if Walker-Peters maintains that high standard.
KWP earned his spot, he played really well in the cup and I was hoping he would start against Wolves, simply because he did so well. I even expected Traore to start, using the same logic. Although T does not defend AT ALL. I was actually shaking my head, smiling in the game against Leeds, as a Leeds player 2 yards from T broke forward on a counter, T took a couple of steps as if in pursuit then stopped, as other WHU players came frantically sprinting past him to cover and help out the defence. It was comical in effect although I suspect others were muttering sweet somethings under their breath. Great cup game though.
Good idea to not change players all the time, but little tweaks such as starting with KWP when he is doing so well helps the team. Not bad when you think the alternative is AWP.
AWB for me all day long ….
His defending is so much more physical than Walker Peters …. And as for winning headers no contest !
But Walker Peters has done well as his understudy .
All good teams need strength in depth and positions covered. Competitions for places is healthy,keep it up KWP.
Good article, with stats to match.
Many people would not have rated Walker Peters if it wasn’t for these 2 consecutive matches.
In brief moments before this, Walker Peters showed his defensive qualities, which outshone AWS’s.
Glad that it is noticed, as WH can do with the better players in this serious campaign.
Now Nuno should stop with playing Magassa, Potts + Killman with their blatant mistakes causing terrible problems every game.
Nonetheless, onward and upward now. COYI !!!
Hardly fair to blame AWB for the actions of others and ignore the effort he has put in previously.
Then that would be stupid and typical W Ham We need every player in the squad available at this critical stage of the season to stay up
He’s absolute class, love him. He’s all over the pitch and doesn’t stop, definitely one of my favourites, to say we got him on a free is insane. I really rate him and we so desperately need his drive and commitment in the next 5/6 games. Kyle if you’re reading this you get a 10/10 from me and feel lucky to have you ⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️
Great selection headache for Nuno to have. All good with this situation.