Angelo Ogbonna faces a real battle ahead if he is to force his way back into the West Ham United starting lineup in place of Craig Dawson.
The 33-year-old centre-back has been out of action since November with an ACL injury.
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The good news is that the Italian could make a return to first-team football before the end of the season according to The Evening Standard.
The problem that Ogbonna will face though is Craig Dawson and the 31-year-old’s sensational form for West Ham this season.
The Hammers centre-back has been unbelievably consistent since filling in for Ogbonna back in November. And the Italian now has a real challenge lying ahead of him.
Ogbonna has his work cut-out with Dawson in great form for West Ham
If the 33-year-old does return to action before the end of the season, there is absolutely no guarantee that he will walk straight back into the team, in spite of his undoubted importance to the Hammers.
Craig Dawson is undroppable at the moment, it really is as simple as that.
The 31-year-old is flying under there radar as a potential Hammer of the Year candidate.
In fact, we believe that alongside Declan Rice, Dawson has been the Hammers’ best and most consistent player this season.
What an absolute steal the signing of Dawson has proven to be for West Ham. £3 million, or £4 million including the initial loan fee, has to go down as one of the very best value for money deals of the last decade for the Hammers.
Ogbonna, who earns £70k-a-week according to Spotrac, has a huge fight on his hands now due to Dawson’s form. And that’s actually a good thing for both players, as well as West Ham as a club.
It will be really interesting to see whether Oggy has to make do with a place on the bench as and when he does actually return to full fitness.
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