The speed at which new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui has assessed and decided upon the future of Kurt Zouma is impressive.
The Spaniard has an element of the smiling assassin about him. To see Lopetegui arm in arm, smiling and joking alongside last season’s Hammers captain, one would think they were best mates. However, this is clearly just the way J-Lo goes about things. To quote an old term, he is the very embodiment of ‘the iron fist in the velvet glove.’
Because whilst the former Real Madrid manager was larking, joking, and being back-slappingly lovely to Zouma, he was also plotting his West Ham downfall.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting there’s any malice in what Lopetegui is doing, and I’m quite sure that he likes and is even fond of the popular French defender. Unfortunately for Zouma, it became immediately apparent to the Hammers’ new boss that central defence needed a complete overhaul. Lopetegui would have quickly ascertained that the £30 million signing from Chelsea was not up to the expected standards and fitness, so a decision was made swiftly.
I can’t help but wonder what former gaffer David Moyes would have done with Zouma this season had he remained at the club. It was quite clear for all to see that the Hammers’ captain was on the decline last season, although perhaps he would have fared a little better under the Scotsman’s tactics.
But fair play to no-nonsense J-Lo; he’s made a difficult decision but done so very quickly, and in effect has probably done all parties a massive favour by not dragging it out.
I think Zouma must know his knees aren’t up to one of the top five leagues anymore. He was unable to play two games in a week for his last season under Moyes I wonder whether he would have gone anyway.
Good work by Lopetegui. Nothing against Zouma, but it is good both for WHU and Zouma himself that he leaves. Best of luck to you Zouma, you have served WHU really well with loyalty and dedication over the years.
Any incoming manager would be able to ascertain that Zouma is no longer fit for the demands of the Premier League.
74 goals conceded last season is a damming statistic, especially under a so called defensive minded Manager.
I think J-Lo would’ve discussed the defence at his interview stage. He obviously was in sync with Tim from those initial conversations. It’s refreshing that we are acting decisively in the transfer market. This never happened with Moyes due to their disjointed relationship.
We now appear to be a progressive club that is finally adopting a modern approach to football operations. Tim has literally transformed West Ham in such a short period of time.
We all know that players have a price where we have to say goodbye and wish them well.
Tim IMO is absolutely priceless and is the key to us developing further and achieving our aims.
And.. we agree on something!
I suspect this is also a difference between Moyes having complete control or the power to veto transfers and Steidten having that in addition to the finance to get it done. One of those people is decisive and on the front foot and one of them was a ditherer. I am very surprised if the rumours are true that Todibo is going to be signed, it is definitely impressive and a departure from the past. It will also be interesting to see how having a sporting director choosing the players works out in terms of team cohesion and results and will also be good to hear how that relationship is in reality does Lopetegui also agree the players or is this purely Tim’s research, analysis and network ?
It didn’t work out too bad for Tim’s old club, Bayer Leverkusen. Tim appointed Alonso and bought the players for them to win the league!
That’s a well repeated rumour but in actual fact Alonso was appointed as the head coach by Bayer Leverkusen sporting director, Simon Rolfes, who also bought the players.
“Defensive overall” indeed. Clearly that’s what WH has been needing all along. As well as a new midfield.
J-Lo will not succeed with any of the “Moyes blue eyed boys”, and that he clearly understands.
The pre-season matches is an eye opener to all in terms of how soft WH 1st team really is.
We however definitely need another strong CB to partner with Max, and another RB to strengthen the defence.
May we see a better WH team against Celta on Sat.
Coyi – God bless West Ham.
You really think Lopetegui will drop the likes of Bowen?
If Bowen is not playing well I think JLo has the balls to drops him. I expect him to play the best team, not the best 11 individuals/favourites
Without wanting to knock Moyes, if he was in charge Zouma would be seeing out that last year and still be captain. I do believe that. Moyes saw him as his own Ledley King.Best thing all round is to let Kurt go, and revamp a defence that conceded over 70 goals despite a defensive system.
Not a difficult decision for J Lo. As a season ticket holder, it was obvious Zouma was physically disabled.
Saudi Arabia or Conference League South just about right.