West Ham: Moyes dealt Zouma fitness concern

West Ham United have been dealt a brand new health concern concerning Kurt Zouma.

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That’s in keeping with a report by 90min, who declare that David Moyes is anxious that the centre-back, who has already sustained five separate knee accidents over the course of his profession, suffers from a long-term degenerative knee problem.

The report goes on to state that the 27-year-old, who solely joined West Ham from Chelsea in a £29.8m deal final summer time, has regarded removed from 100% match within the Hammers’ opening two Premier League fixtures of the 2022/23 marketing campaign, though it’s not mentioned whether or not or not the France worldwide is a doubt for the Europa Convention League play-off in opposition to Viborg FF on Thursday.

Large blow for Moyes

Contemplating simply how unfortunate West Ham have been with centre-back accidents to date this season, ought to Zouma certainly show to have a long-term problem along with his knee, it could undoubtedly come as an enormous blow to Moyes and his facet.

Certainly, the £25.2m-rated Frenchman is presently the 59-year-old supervisor’s solely senior choice out there within the coronary heart of his defence, with £30m summer time signing Nayef Aguerd dominated out of motion till at the least October after damaging his ankle ligaments in a pre-season pleasant, whereas each Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson additionally remained sidelined due to knocks.

This has seen Ben Johnson – a right-back by commerce – begin each the 2-0 loss to Manchester Metropolis and the 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest alongside Zouma at centre-back, one thing that’s evidently removed from supreme, significantly when you think about his efficiency in opposition to Forest.

As such, it’s clear to see that, regardless of the Hammers having agreed a £10.1m deal for Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Thilo Kehrer on Tuesday – with Moyes said to be hoping that the 25-year-old will likely be registered in time for the Viborg conflict on Thursday – the additional lack of Zouma could be a disastrous blow for the Scot and his facet as he merely doesn’t have the choices and depth to deal with yet one more health concern on the again.