Moyes drops Diop bombshell

David Moyes claims Issa Diop has refused to play for the Hammers.

The French defender was absent from the squad that faced Manchester City on the opening weekend of the season.

City won the game 2-0 thanks to an Erling Haaland brace.

Diop has been heavily linked with a potential move to Fulham in this transfer window and now appears to have told the Irons that he does not want to play.

Asked whether the centre-back had sustained an injury, hence his absence, Moyes dropped the bombshell that he had asked not to be picked.

As quoted by Football.London, Moyes said: “No, Issa Diop is not injured at the minute.

“Issa Diop didn’t put himself forward to play in the last couple of games and we will see what happens with that in the next couple of weeks.”  

Asked if Diop was likely to leave, he added: “I don’t know.”

Diop has fallen down the pecking order at West Ham but the injury to Nayef Aguerd opened the door to him being picked in the team on Sunday; instead, Ben Johnson played at centre-back alongside Kurt Zouma.

It remains to be seen if Fulham will attempt to capitalise by making a formal bid in the next few weeks.