Kurt Zouma is not fit to be West Ham captain but it has nothing to do with a cat.
There was much speculation and debate over who would take over from Declan Rice as West Ham captain.
David Moyes took a long time deciding before eventually settling on Kurt Zouma.
The move left some puzzled. But in terms of the dressing room it seemed to make sense.
Zouma is a larger than life character who is an excellent defender on his day.
He has had his troubles, though, and brought shame on the Hammers with the cat attack saga.
Earlier this season journalist Henry Winter publicly criticised Moyes for appointing Zouma as West Ham captain.
Winter’s argument was that Zouma’s cat shame meant he was unfit to captain the club of Bobby Moore.
Winter was blasted by fans and the likes of John Terry for dragging up cat-gate again.
But Zouma is not fit to be West Ham captain and it has nothing to do with a cat.
Winter was right about Zouma in one respect – he should not be Hammers skipper. But the reasons he gave were all wrong.
Yes the cat incident was stupid and regrettable. But he has served his penance, apologised profusely multiple times and we’ve all moved on.
The fact is, though, Zouma is not fit to captain West Ham in a much more literal sense.
Firstly the fact the 29-year-old centre-back cannot play two games close together due to his history of knee issues.
Far from ideal for a club playing well over 50 games per season over the last few years.
But others such as Ledley King have managed it in the past.
And on his day the Frenchman is an outstanding defender. He has also played a big part in West Ham’s successes over the last few years.
That’s not the case at the moment with his form having absolutely fallen off a cliff. He’s not alone in that of course. But the big concern is his fitness and mobility.
Watching him gives genuine cause for concern. And it has done for some time now.
Zouma looks incredibly immobile at the moment and it is showing in his performances. He is not getting around the pitch like he has done for West Ham in the past.
Everything looks awkward and last ditch. And supporters wince every time he goes down or in for a challenge given his injury history.
There’s something very unnatural about the way Zouma is moving at the moment. He looks uncomfortable. And it would not come as a surprise if we were to learn he has been playing through pain.
Zouma was substituted at half-time of an abysmal performance as West Ham trailed Arsenal 4-0 midway through Sunday’s defeat.
It’s unclear whether he was hooked for his awful display or whether he has a new injury.
But either way he’s not fit to be the skipper.
He rarely does interviews as is a captain’s duty. And there are other players who could and should have the armband ahead of him.
Edson Alvarez, Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse would all make much more sense given they are starters who are almost always available.
Even Vladimir Coufal – who Moyes has backed to become a manager – would be a better shout.
Zouma would be fine as a vice-captain. But recent performances suggest he could and should lose his place to Konstantinos Mavropanos soon.
This is not to make Zouma a scapegoat for all West Ham’s ills at the moment. Far from it. But it is a big responsibility to be West Ham captain and he’s not stepping up to the plate when it matters most.
After a 6-0 defeat to a London rival, West Ham fans want, expect and need to hear from their captain.
But it has been radio silence from Zouma since Sunday. Where’s the explanation, apology, rallying cry or call to arms after the club’s biggest home league defeat for 61 years?
Instead that has been left to Coufal.
Moyes should not have made someone who literally can’t physically start every game his captain in the first place.
Now a change is needed given others have emerged as more reliable, consistent leaders and performers.
Zouma, when fully fit, can still be a hugely important player for West Ham.
He is an excellent defender and possesses all the attributes needed.
It’s admirable what Zouma puts his kness and body through to lead West Ham.
But he needs to just concentrate on staying fit and healthy and not all the other pressures and responsibilities that come with being captain.
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