West Ham kept a clean sheet without Issa Diop and now he faces a battle to get back into the team.
Diop’s suspension meant that Manuel Pellegrini was forced into making a defensive change. Fabian Balbuena partnered Angelo Ogbonna at the back to keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge.
Without Diop, the Hammers nullified a free-scoring Chelsea side. Aaron Cresswell’s goal ensured all three points headed from West London to East London.
Diop to miss out at Wolves?
(Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
Balbuena and Ogbonna have not played together all too often but they formed a formidable partnership at the back. The Paraguayan and the Italian did enough to block Chelsea’s attacks – especially when they were chasing the game at the end.
Diop has been a regular under Pellegrini since his summer 2018 move from Toulouse. The 22-year-old Frenchman is usually a guaranteed starter alongside either Balbuena or Ogbonna.
West Ham fans now think that Diop will struggle to get back into the team. With a tough test against Wolves coming up, Balbuena and Ogbonna should retain their starting spots. Here are some tweets about the situation.
Reminds me of the ogbonna/Collins partnership. Solid and tight
— Jack Newman (@JackNew140192) November 30, 2019
Balbuena and Ogbonna is s pretty untried pairing but it worked.
It won’t hit Diop to sit one out…we won after all— AndyK (@Andyk23Andy) November 30, 2019
I reckon Diop would probably welcome a little break, find his form and then came back again. Support WHU through the rough and the smooth
— Daryl (@DarylHunter17) December 1, 2019
They were too good today to drop. Ogbonna has been our stand out defender and should have never been dropped… and Balbuena was a man possessed today. Diop has been awful this season. All the talk of big clubs may have gone to his head a bit.
— Ryan Macdonald (@RyanMac50312097) November 30, 2019
Formula found. Keep it.
— Steve Smith (@hornchurchammer) November 30, 2019
Agree & Diop has been struggling Oggy has been good too especially with blocks use to think was best for Back 3 but been better this season IMO.
Both played well & won’t hurt Diop to kiss couple games get a rest.
Stick with winning team!— Ryan (@Futball4All) December 1, 2019
