David Moyes revealed at his pre-match press conference, via football.london, that Nikola Vlasic will feature when West Ham United host Genk in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Hammers continue their group stage efforts at home to the Belgian outfit seeking to maintain their unbeaten start. West Ham marked their debut in the Europa League proper with victory away to Dinamo Zagreb before beating Rapid Vienna.
Vlasic has started both of West Ham’s Europa League fixtures since leaving CSKA Moscow for east London in August. But Moyes has been scarce to over-rely on his £35m transfer, with the 24-year-old only opening one Premier League game.
Vlasic has also only featured from the bench in two of West Ham’s top-flight fixtures, plus their Carabao Cup win over Manchester United. Additionally, Moyes left the midfielder on the bench throughout the Irons’ last two league matches against Brentford and Everton.
Moyes has now confirmed that Vlasic will add to his minutes tally when West Ham host Genk on Thursday, however. With the Scottish coach excited by what the 31-cap Croatia international has to offer at the London Stadium once settled.
“We really like him. We’ve been really pleased with him,” Moyes said. “He’s come into a relatively settled side. We’ll use him tomorrow and we look forward to seeing what he can do. I try not to push the players through too quickly. I like to give them a chance to settle and let everybody get to know them.”
Vlasic in no rush at West Ham under Moyes
Vlasic is likewise not in any rush to establish himself as one of Moyes’ first-choice players at West Ham. The Croatian also stated he expected a lot of competition when leaving CSKA.
“Tomorrow is an opportunity, but I knew when I came here the manager had his first XI for the Premier League, where they came sixth [last season],” he said. “So it would be tough competition, but I am not in a hurry.”
Vlasic is yet to open two fixtures in the same position for West Ham in any competition so far. Moyes awarded the former Everton playmaker his first Irons start at right-midfield at Dinamo Zagreb.
He then featured on the left against Manchester United in the league and played centrally at home to Rapid Vienna. His substitute roles have also been spread over central attacking midfield positions and on the left at Old Trafford.
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