It is high time, Carlton Cole feels, that Konstantinos Mavropanos got his moment in the limelight at West Ham United.
It may be a stretch to suggest the Greek giant has evolved into one of the finest centre-halves in the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo but, still, he is certainly playing like one right now.
A staggering 94 per cent voted for Mavropanos in Hammers News’ Man of the Match poll following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa. One week after Konstantinos Mavropanos exemplified a defensive performance for the ages against Manchester City – his best ever in a West Ham United shirt – he almost single-handedly kept the scoreline down in the Midlands.
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Mavropanos' performance is the best by a West Ham defender since… ?
Carlton Cole gives a ‘big shout out’ to West Ham United’s Konstantinos Mavropanos
While the £17 million signing from Stuttgart has been overshadowed by the impact of Axel Disasi, Carlton Cole believes his role in the Hammers’ survival bid should not be underestimated.
“It just didn’t click, did it [against Aston Villa? Nothing happened. We’ve been in a good way, though,” Cole tells The Dressing Room podcast. “Big shout out to Mavropanos, by the way, because he’s been excellent the last few games. The last five, really!
“I think there’s been a turn since Axel Disasi came in. That leader, that person who can just breathe a little bit of life into the defence.
“But Mavropanos needs a massive shout-out. He puts his body and his head on the line.”
Nuno paid tribute to the ‘warrior’ Mavropanos himself following a game in which he made no fewer than 10 clearances against Manchester City. The one-time Arsenal prospect followed that up with two goal-line blocks at Villa Park.
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Cole was still disappointed by the nature of the performance away to Unai Emery’s side, though.
“I was expecting West Ham to get something,” Cole adds. “I thought it was an opportunity, especially with Spurs losing in that fashion as well [3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest].
“I’m a little disappointed, and I think West Ham fans would be too.”
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