West Ham United manager David Moyes has been handed a ‘sucker punch’ with the injury sustained by new signing Nayef Aguerd ahead of the opening day clash with Manchester City.
The Lowdown: Aguerd’s injury
The Morocco international joined the Hammers last month after the East London club agreed a £30m fee with French side Rennes.
Last Tuesday, the 26-year-old suffered an injury in the 11th minute of the Irons’ 3-1 pre-season loss to Rangers, having twisted his ankle while attempting to make a tackle (via The Athletic).
As a result, the West Ham defender underwent surgery on his ankle, and although the procedure was a success he is expected to miss several Premier League games.
The Latest: Whelan’s claim
Noel Whelan, who used to work as a pundit for BBC Radio, has weighed in on Aguerd’s injury and the effects it will have on Moyes’ team. Speaking with Football Insider, the former Leeds United striker claimed:
“Pre-season is so important, and it’s vital that you get through it – especially as a new player.
“Your worst fear is picking up any injuries – whether you’ve been there years or if you’ve just arrived.
“This is not the start he will have wanted at West Ham. It’s a sucker punch because you want to get to grasps with the English game, and the pace of the game – so he’ll be very frustrated.
“For David Moyes and Aguerd, this is certainly not how they envisioned it when they brought him in.
“They are going to need to do a bit of reshuffling now before the season starts.”
The Verdict: Huge blow
With Moyes having been so intent on securing an established centre-back this window, his worries seemed to have disappeared when the club signed Aguerd on a long-term deal.
However, the boss’ anxieties may have returned, with ExWHUEmployee (via his Patreon, 25 July) reporting that club chiefs are ‘fearful’ that the defender could be ruled out until the World Cup – which kicks off on 21 November.
Moyes’ alternative options include Issa Diop, who is the subject of interest from Fulham, and Angelo Ogbonna, who has recently returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
We may well see West Ham frantically dipping back into the transfer market in search of an extra centre-back in the next few weeks.