The Times report that West Ham United manager David Moyes has lost all trust in right-back Vladimir Coufal – with the Czech Republic international starting only one Premier League match since September, falling down the pecking order.
The 30-year-old was signed by Moyes for a fee of £4million in the summer of 2020. Since then, he has clocked up a 87 outings for the Hammers. But, this term, he has fallen down the pecking order, after some questionable performances.
With Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson now all fit as options at central defender, new signing Thilo Kehrer has moved to right-back. Academy product Ben Johnson is also above Coufal in Moyes’ thinking.
Indeed, Coufal has been an unused sub six times in West Ham’s last eight Premier League games. He started and finished against Southampton in a 1-1 draw, and was a late sub in a 2-0 win over Bournemouth. But Moyes is fed up.
Signed by Moyes two years ago, it is clear that the Scottish gaffer is no longer a fan of Coufal. With the January window incoming, it might be that Coufal is offloaded by the Hammers – given he is now the club’s third choice.
West Ham manager Moyes has lost all trust in right-back Coufal
Coufal has been a loyal servant to the Hammers since he joined the club. Always readily available and in the past, a reliable part of the Hammers defence. He has also had an impact in the final third, laying on 12 assists in his 87 games.
But West Ham have brought in new players and improved the overall quality of the squad. Johnson’s development is massively growing. So, Coufal is starting to be left by the wayside. His contract expires at the end of the season.
The chances are that come January, Coufal could be made available for a transfer. The Hammers will want to bring in a fee for the right-back, rather than lose him on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign.
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