West Ham manager David Moyes could soon have a decision to make at right-back.
Although they showed some encouraging signs in the 2-1 defeat away to Manchester City, West Ham United are still searching for their first win of the David Moyes era.
Pablo Zabaleta has started all four of those games but the experienced defender hasn’t been at his best, with his lack of pace and slowing reactions clearly evident.
Although he is still capable of making precisely-timed challenges, while he also possesses good leadership skills, it is undeniable that Zabaleta is in decline and is starting to become a shadow of the player that performed so consistently over a prolonged period for City.
At present Moyes has little option but to persist with Zabaleta, with untried youngster Ben Johnson, who was on the bench against City, perhaps not ready to step up to first-team football yet.
Soon, though, Moyes will have another option at his disposal, with Sam Byram nearing a return from a thigh injury.
Byram has been unfortunate with injuries since joining West Ham from Leeds United in January 2016 but Zabaleta’s struggles could present him with an opportunity to establish himself as an important player for the club.
The prospect produced an impressive performance during West Ham’s victory over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, during which he attacked with gusto, something which hasn’t been the case with Zabaleta.
While Zabaleta is limited going forwards and is becoming increasingly vulnerable defensively, Byram can offer West Ham an improvement in both aspects.
Capable of delivering excellent crosses, Byram is a talented player, and, although he is still a little raw, he certainly deserves to be given a chance to showcase his credentials.
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