Said Benrahma has become a bit-part player at West Ham United of late but he simply has to start against Leeds United.
David Gold savaged again as he passes on Fornals message
West Ham narrowly lost to champions-elect Manchester City 2-1 at the weekend.
And as has become the norm under David Moyes, £25 million signing Benrahma was given just a few minutes at the end to try and make an impact.
Moyes must start bit-part Benrahma against Leeds
West Ham played well at City and deserved at least a point.
But Moyes simply has to start Benrahma against Leeds next Monday night.
That’s because the Algerian was absolutely key to West Ham’s 2-1 win over Leeds in the reverse fixture at Elland Road.
West Ham should have battered Leeds by a more comfortable scoreline that day.
And it was all made possible by Benrahma’s ability on the ball and to play on the turn.
Sitting in front of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, Benrahma was being fed the ball and beating Leeds’ famous high-energy press.
Algerian’s ability to beat Leeds press was key to West Ham’s win at Elland Road
Once he had done that it opened up the whole pitch for West Ham to get at Leeds’s defence.
Now West Ham have Jesse Lingard, so they will be capable of doing even more damage.
West Ham will not need to play wingbacks to face Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
So Benrahma needs to come back in for Ben Johnson.
The prospect of beating the Leeds press and seeing Benrahma, Lingard and Michail Antonio flying forward will bring back pleasant memories of West Ham’s superb 3-1 win over Aston Villa last month.
Moyes does not need wingbacks for Bielsa’s side, paving way for Benrahma start
Moyes can bring Benrahma in for Johnson and push Pablo Fornals – who was excellent against City – out to the left.
That way Benrahma can pick up the same central positions he did at Elland Road in a floating role.
Once he beats his man he will have the freedom of the London Stadium pitch to do some damage.
It will no doubt be another exciting game.
And given results elsewhere this week, one West Ham must look to win to keep up on their quest for Europe.