Moyes hails West Ham ace and admits he could have left in the summer

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David Moyes was full of praise for Conor Coventry’s industrious performance during West Ham United’s 1-0 UEFA Conference League victory over Silkeborg, telling Football London that the midfielder ‘had plenty of chances to leave’ the club over the summer. 

As the Hammers boss himself points out, it’s not easy for a young player to force his way into a settled claret-and-blue midfield.

Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are pretty much ever-presents at the London Stadium. Flynn Downes has made a real impact since forcing his way into the side too, while Manuel Lanzini is now a full-time, deep-lying playmaker under Moyes. 

As such, this was only Coventry’s second start since August, when Silkeborg came to town. The 22-year-old Irishman grabbed a rare opportunity with both hands too, moving the ball effectively while coming close to a maiden first-team goal with a fierce strike from the edge of the area.

Conor Coventry impresses as West Ham claim another European win

“I thought Conor played really well tonight. In fact, if Conor had not played as well as he did, (Rice and Soucek) would have been on earlier. Conor played that well,” Moyes says; Lanzini’s first-half penalty maintaining a 100 per cent record in the Confernece League group-stage. 

“Conor is a good player and it has been difficult to get him some minutes. With the competition we have got, it has been difficult. Conor had plenty of chances to leave but we wanted him to stay. He is such a good lad and a good trainer. He’s a great competitor.

“He is the captain of the Republic of Ireland Under-21s. We had Josh Cullen, who is very similar. (He) went to Anderlecht and Burnley, (while) playing for the full Republic team. Wouldn’t surprise me if Conor followed the same path.

“He is doing great and we like him a lot. He had the chance to go in the summer.”

Coventry, who caught the eye during West Ham’s pre-season preparations in 2021, has spent time out on loan at Peterborough United and MK Dons, with admittedly mixed results. The academy graduate, Moyes adds, was a target for ‘a couple of good clubs’ over the summer too.