Joe Cole has leapt to the defence of ‘true player’ Nayef Aguerd after ‘unjust’ criticism of the West Ham United star.
Despite West Ham’s superb start to the season in all competitions, one player has been facing criticism.
Nayef Aguerd has been criticised by many West Ham fans and David Moyes for some of his performances this season.
The Moroccan has struggled for consistency in performance since signing for West Ham for £30m from Rennes last summer.
Anxious Aguerd in the spotlight
Concentration and decision making have, at times, let Aguerd down. Sometimes a fine performance is tainted by a costly mistake.
Moyes has been critical of Aguerd’s defending after errors leading to goals in defeats against Man City and Liverpool. And while he didn’t name names, even Jarrod Bowen could not hide his frustration following the defender’s performance at Anfield recently.
There had been calls from some West Ham fans for Aguerd to be dropped in favour of new signing Konstantinos Mavropanos. And according to a report from The Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg, Moyes has been considering doing just that.
But Moyes has stuck by Aguerd and he actually played with Mavropanos as the Hammers beat Freiburg 2-1 on Thursday night.
Joe Cole leaps to defence of ‘true player’ Nayef Aguerd after ‘unjust’ criticism of West Ham star
The game offered a microcosm of Aguerd’s time at West Ham. Excellent on the ball, playing some wonderful passes, lapse of concentration which saw him at fault for the opposition’s goal but then scoring the winner with a towering header.
The 27-year-old is one of West Ham’s big leaders and personalities in the dressing room. That is clear for all to see on the pitch.
Aguerd will be lining up at the back again alongside Kurt Zouma when the Hammers take on Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.
And he has the support of one former West Ham star who rates him very highly indeed.
‘Mark my words’
Joe Cole has leapt to the defence of ‘true player’ Aguerd after ‘unjust’ criticism of the West Ham star.
“Yea (he’s had a bit of criticism) and unjust as well,” Cole said on TNT Sports.
“He’s a centre half, he will make mistakes (but) he is a true player – mark my words.
“First game we watched him play in Europe and we broke it down, on the ball he does well he can switch it, he’s got the big switch. He’s a good defender.
“There were big clubs looking at him.
“You know he’s had a bit of a rocky spell but not a problem. And he can do that (score goals) as well – an unbelievable header.”
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