---
title: "West Ham United: Roshane Thomas praises Angelo Ogbonna"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/ogbonna-praised-roshane-thomas-west-ham/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2023-02-05T19:05:02Z"
modified: "2023-02-05T19:05:02Z"
---

# West Ham United: Roshane Thomas praises Angelo Ogbonna

**[West Ham United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/) defender Angelo Ogbonna has been praised by The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas for his performances in recent weeks.**

### The Lowdown: West Ham’s defensive options

Irons manager [David Moyes](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/david-moyes/) has not been able to select Kurt Zouma of late, with the Frenchman suffering a [hamstring injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kurt-zouma/verletzungen/spieler/157509), while Craig Dawson was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers for [£3.3m](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/22/wolves-complete-33m-deal-to-sign-craig-dawson-from-west-ham) in January.

As such, Ogbonna has returned to the starting XI, [appearing](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/angelo-ogbonna/leistungsdaten/spieler/48002) for the full 90 minutes in four of the Hammers’ last five [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) matches, and his performances have impressed Thomas.

### The Latest: Ogbonna praised

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/RoshaneSport/status/1621953971958022145?s=20&t=mMEgNDbQaGD1jFPpuyJxMg) in the wake of West Ham’s 1-1 draw away to high-flying Newcastle United at the weekend, the journalist reserved a ‘special mention’ for Ogbonna over his recent displays.

Thomas gushed: *“Special mention to Ogbonna. He’s gone under the radar in recent weeks. He’s slowly getting back to his best.”*

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419201″\]

### The Verdict: Top-drawer performances

Moyes’ side have kept clean sheets in [three](https://www.sofascore.com/player/angelo-ogbonna/21164) of the last five matches in which the 34-year-old has been involved, conceding only one goal in both of the other games in that run, and Ogbonna was vital in the crucial 2-0 victory against Everton in January. On that afternoon, he made [15](https://www.sofascore.com/everton-west-ham-united/MY) clearances to keep the Toffees at bay, the most of any player on the pitch.

The Italian defender also played his part in the 1-0 FA Cup triumph at Brentford a month ago, blocking [two](https://www.sofascore.com/player/angelo-ogbonna/21164) shots and winning two of his three aerial duels to help secure West Ham’s place in the fourth round of the competition, where they defeated Derby to set up a clash against Manchester United.

Once hailed as ‘[brilliant](https://twitter.com/ExWHUEmployee/status/1284231226665111553?s=20&t=mMEgNDbQaGD1jFPpuyJxMg)‘ by ExWHUemployee, Ogbonna’s contract is [due to expire](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/angelo-ogbonna/profil/spieler/48002) in the summer, but his performances of late have been at a very high level and rightly drawn praise from Thomas. If the 34-year-old keeps it up for the foreseeable future, then it will definitely be worth giving him an extra year at the London Stadium.