Angelo Ogbonna made another worrying error for West Ham last night, and Joe Cole highlighted how the Italian is suffering from a lack of game-time.
West Ham centre-back Angelo Ogbonna was handed a start in the Europa League against Olympiacos out in Greece yesterday.
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Hammers boss David Moyes made the 35-year-old defender captain on the night, in spite of his shocking error against Backa Topola at the London Stadium last month – one that he took to Twitter to apologise to the fans for.
Oggy has been a great servant for us, since he moved to the club from Juventus in the summer of 2015, but his best days are clearly now in his rear-view mirror unfortunately.
The Italian’s display last night was typical of someone who has played just 381 minutes of football this season (Transfermarkt)…
Joe Cole says West Ham player is clearly suffering after just 381 minutes this season
The former Hammer was a guest in the TNT studios for last night’s Europa League clash between the Hammers and Olympiacos.
Cole suggested that Ogbonna was suffering because of a lack of minutes this term, when speaking on TNT Sports (Thursday October 26th, 6:40pm):
“Ogbonna, I think he’s suffering from not playing regularly, and made the mistake in the first-half.”
I agree with Cole actually, and the same can be said for numerous other Hammers players including the likes of Pablo Fornals, Said Benrahma and Danny Ings.
Ogbonna looked well off the pace and his lack of action definitely didn’t help last night. However, he is 35 now, and Moyes has to start planning for life without him – he’s clearly done as an elite, top level centre-back, as harsh as that may sound.
The Italian has been superb for us throughout the years but it’s time for him to be phased out of the side now, so that he can leave the club at the end of the season with his dignity still in tact.
Joe Cole was bang on the money with his comments on the West Ham centre-back last night. However, the problem is a lot deeper rooted than the former Hammer made it out to be.
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