West Ham coach Alan Irvine insists that Issa Diop was the victim of a late injury pouring cold water on conspiracy theories he is still suffering from Covid knock-on effects or had fallen out with David Moyes and will be off.
Irvine holding the virtual post-match press conference following the 1-0 win over Stockport County explained that Diop felt a little problem on Sunday but he travelled with the squad on Sunday night knowing he was not 100%. He added that the defender failed a fitness test on Monday morning which kept him out of the FA cup tie.
Irvine said “He felt a little bit of a problem yesterday but said he was okay, and actually we did the work yesterday with Issa in the team. We came up last night and he was still not 100% sure that he was okay. We checked him again this morning and at that point, the decision was made that he wasn’t quite ready to play. So that was disappointing for Issa and disappointing for us because it would have been a good opportunity for him to get a game.”
The 24-year-old has hardly played since catching COVID at the same time as David Moyes and Josh Cullen and losing his starting place.
That happened when West Ham received test results shortly before the start of their Carabao Cup third-round match against Hull on a Tuesday evening in late September last year. Since then he has made just two appearances totalling 117 minutes on the pitch.
He made no appearances in October with a substitute role against Fulham in November when he came on as a 63d minute replacement.
His one start came in December against Crystal Palace but there have been a couple of games where he has not even made the matchday squad leading to speculation he is fallen our favour and could be off this winter.
David Moyes has previously insisted this is not the case telling reporters he has no intention of selling Diop despite the player falling down the defensive pecking order.
“I’ve got no intention in letting any players go,” said Moyes. “Issa’s one of the players we really like.
“He started in the team, he picked up the virus at the same time as I did. Fabian Balbuena has come in and played very well, you know that’s what happens in football. But we’ve got no intention whatsoever letting Issa go. None.”
In recent weeks Issa has been linked in reports to a move with Liverpool, Spurs, Manchester United and even Chelsea but it difficult to imagine that when he can’t get into the Hammers first eleven.
Whether Irvine’s explanation will be enough to quell speculation that he will leave this January is debatable.
I dont understand all the clamour for Diop to play. With Ogbonna and Dawson becoming a dynamic duo and collecting clean sheets and match winning goals between them I wouldn’t expect Diop to get a game any time soon. Balbuena was only out through injury too. Looks like Diop is going to have to bide his time until injury or tiredness takes it’s toll on the other boys.
I wouldnt change a winning team & Balbuena would be my 3rd choice. He should definitely get a new deal in summer not huge wages & great character him & Dawson with Ogbonna hopefully Alese & Baptiste come good.
But i wouldn’t mind seeing Diop get some mins off the bench at DM bc he has pace & I think he could do a job there. Especially considering if Rice or Souček got injured or COViD be a huge loss even if just for a couple games
I think that Moyes and his team have done a good enough job that they deserve to be given the benefit of the doubt
Let us see what unfolds in the remainder of the window
It’s a concern when the lack of quality in our squad means Ogbonna and Rice can’t get a break against a non league team, and we are left praying they don’t break down or get covid
Whether right or wrong Managers when they want to sell players, make all sorts of noises to media, look at Dyche with Tarkowski and his minor injury… it’s all a game. I don’t think Moyes does like Diop as much as he says or he would be playing, athletically he is the most gifted of all our centre backs. Defensively perhaps the other two have more experience which could be the reason why he is watching, either way I would prefer he stayed but if he wants to move he is not indispensible.