Things are very good indeed at West Ham United right now, but there’s still one major concern that needs to be addressed.
Julen Lopetegui came into the London Stadium six weeks ago to replace the recently departed David Moyes as the new West Ham head coach.
The Spaniard has hit the ground running as well, with the signings of Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme and Wes Foderingham already secure.
Now deals for Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Guido Rodriguez are believed to be close to being completed.
What a transfer window it has been for the Hammers so far this summer, and I wouldn’t be surprised if things got even better over the next couple of weeks.
Even if Lopetegui completes the signings of all of those players mentioned above, there is definitely still one particular area of the West Ham squad that he needs to address as a matter of urgency.
It seems as though that fact is not lost on the Spaniard, as he searches high and wide to add further reinforcements to his ranks.
One player could really hold us back unless the Hammers head coach brings in a big upgrade.
Kurt Zouma should really concern West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui
Hammers centre-back Kurt Zouma arrived at the London Stadium in the summer of 2021 when he joined us from Chelsea in a £30 million deal.
The 29-year-old made a huge change for West Ham, and led by example from the back.
He was a colossus for us for two seasons, before his knee problems caught up with him.
Looking back on it now, it’s little wonder why David Sullivan tried to pull out of the deal to sign Zouma after his medical results came in, before his eventual move to the London Stadium.
I can’t lie, I’m really concerned about the centre-back, and the negative impact he could have on the Hammers team if he’s a consistent starter this season.
A hugely worrying video emerged after our defeat to Wolves, and it showed Zouma in the very worst light possible.
His lack of pace and general ability to move is extremely worrying, but the lack of effort he showed to get back into position was even more concerning.
Zouma can barely get around the pitch anymore, and his physical regression over the past 12 months has been hugely concerning to witness.
I truly believe that if the Frenchman starts for us regularly this season, he will be targeted by every team we play against.
All you need to get at him is a simple ball in behind.
Kurt Zouma was a great signing for West Ham when Moyes brought him to the club three years ago, and he was a superb player for us during his first two seasons at the London Stadium.
However, the cold hard truth of the matter is that he isn’t fit to play top level Premier League football anymore.
And if Julen Lopetegui doesn’t sign another elite centre-back for West Ham this summer, I think we could be in big trouble, in spite of all the excitement surrounding us right now because of the imminent influx of talented new arrivals.
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