Two players with a lot to prove could square up when West Ham United play Tottenham Hotspur this week.
Tottenham Hotspur’s EFL Cup fourth round clash against West Ham United this week should see some fringe players given the chance to impress and two of them could go head-to-head in the form of Hammers full-back Sam Byram and Spurs winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou.
Byram has struggled for chances this season, with summer signing Pablo Zabaleta quickly becoming one of the first names on the West Ham team sheet.
However, the former Leeds United player is expected to start on Wednesday and he will know it is a rare chance to prove his worth against quality opposition.
The same can be said of N’Koudou, who has managed only three substitute appearances to Tottenham this season, despite some impressive friendly performances over the summer.
He will see this game as his chance to prove he can cut it against Premier League opposition and it will be interesting to watch the likely battle unfold.
If both players are selected it could be one of the areas that decides the match, with the Tottenham winger’s pace a clear threat, provided he can learn to provide the right final ball.
At 24, Byram should be playing far more often than he is and, while Zabaleta appears to be an immovable object for now, Wednesday’s match could be a sign of things to come.
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