West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini will not include Goncalo Cardoso in the EFL Cup against Newport County. According to Football London, Pellegrini has claimed that Cardoso needs more time before he is first-team-ready.
Ahead of the cup clash with League Two side Newport County, Pellegrini said: “Goncalo is a young player who maybe needs some more time.” He has been training with the senior side but was included in the U23 clash with Reading last weekend.
Pellegrini clearly does not feel that he is ready to risk playing Cardoso in the first-team. But when he joined, a report from Football London indicated that he would be a first-team player immediately. It looks like West Ham fans have been sold a lie about the 18-year-old.
Defence was the priority so why was it not addressed?
Last season, West Ham had little trouble scoring goals. It was the defence that needed a major shake-up. But the only new defender brought in was Cardoso. If he is not first-team-ready, then why were West Ham fans sold a promise that he was?
Even though Cardoso could be a future first-team star in the making, it does not justify the decision to strengthen other areas instead of the defence. Pellegrini must have known that he needed a new defender and a new holding midfielder.
West Ham have somehow contrived to miss out on both if Cardoso is an academy player at best for the short-term future. This needs to be addressed in January if Cardoso is still not ready.
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