By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Konstantinos Mavropanos started as Greece came from behind to beat Serbia 2-1 in Belgrade last night, and from a West Ham perspective the most important news is that he appears to have come through almost the entire game unscathed.
Serbia had led from the fourth minute before Christos Tzolis equalised in the second half and Anastasios Douvikas headed Greece’s stoppage-time winner.
Mavropanos started at centre-back and played until stoppage time, with no injury concern reported following the game.
A win — and a hopeful sign for West Ham
I’m pleased for Mavropanos that he’s in the habit of winning. If I’m honest, I’m even more pleased that he appears to have come through almost the entire match without sustaining an injury.
West Ham can hardly afford to lose him.
I would prefer Greece to limit his minutes when they face Germany on Sunday, although I understand why such a big game matters to his country.
Dinos has become an increasingly important player for Nuno Espírito Santo, with West Ham making their position on the defender crystal clear during the summer when there was interest in signing him.
Mavropanos has been sensational going forward
From an attacking perspective, he has been sensational for West Ham this season. If last seasons HOTY can sort out his defending as well, he’ll be brilliant.
He has looked frighteningly shaky at times in a back line that has conceded far too many goals. Fortunately, the Hammers have been scoring at a ridiculous rate, so those lapses haven’t hurt us as much as they might.
We’ve already seen just how much Mavropanos can contribute at the other end of the pitch, and his goals have become a welcome if not unexpected feature of West Ham’s season.
For now, Greece have their win and West Ham have reason to hope an important defender will return fit.
I’ll take both.
Scores the goals, does the distribution, clears it off the line, commits totally every time. What more do you want him to do? Oh Hammer of the Year sure he’s shaky not as Shaky as your journalism that’s for sure.
Morty comments agreed.
Mavro needs to be partnered with somebody who is vocal, Alvarez who also has captain’s experience.
Nuno needs to be more speculative controversial be ause his tinkering can be poor.
Kilman has had some good games but Alvarez or Golambeckis need to tried
Morato is a man which should be used as a sub and can’t play left back he’s to slow.
The issue for Dinos is that we didn’t replace Disasi even though we knew he was only on loan and would likely find a Premier League suitor this season. Maybe Morata will prove to be that steadying influence if given a chance in his natural position, Dinos and Kilman just doesn’t seem to work.