West Ham welcome Crystal Palace to the London Stadium tonight. And David Moyes should really consider bringing Issa Diop back into the line-up.
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The 23-year-old centre-back hasn’t started a game for the Hammers since our second match of the season against Arsenal.
The Frenchman tested positive for Covid in September and has been unable to usurp Fabian Balbuena ever since due to the Paraguayan’s fine form.
Diop, who earns £60k-a-week (Metro) did get 30 minutes against Fulham when Angelo Ogbonna went off injured. But that has been it.
That should all change tonight, however.
Crystal Palace are a dangerous outfit. With Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze dovetailing down the left hand flank, the Hammers could have all sorts of problems.
Fabian Balbuena has been great of late, but his lack of pace is a real worry. Considering the fact that the 29-year-old plays on the right side of central defence, Palace may well target him with the explosive pace of Zaha and Eze.
And that’s why Diop should play. Pace is one of his key attributes.
Speed could be key against Palace
One weekend last season, the 23-year-old clocked the third fastest speed out of every player in the Premier League:
Diop is younger, more mobile and far more energetic than Balbuena. He might not be as good in the air or at anticipating attacks as the Paraguay international is.
His ability to cover ground may be more important than aerial ability and anticipation, however.
There are two ways that Moyes could integrate Diop back into the West Ham starting XI.
The most simple way would be to swap him in for Balbuena.
The Paraguayan has been excellent, however, and dropping him would be a really harsh call.
The second option would be to switch back to a 5-2-3 or 5-4-1 system.
Aaron Cresswell could move into the left wing-back, with Diop playing as the right sided centre-back, Balbuena in the middle and Angelo Ogbonna on the left in a back three.
Sebastien Haller, Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma could then make up the front three.
Pablo Fornals would have to be dropped of course. Considering the way the Spaniard has played of late, however, that would probably be the right call.
It really is a massive game for us tonight. A win could see us jump up inside the top four!
COYI X
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