West Ham United boss should go with Angelo Ogbonna, not Declan Rice, against Tottenham Hotspur.
James Collins’s injury has given West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic a bit of a dilemma.
Alongside Jose Fonte and Winston Reid, Collins was excellent in West Ham’s new three-man defence and his month-long absence should be a worry for Bilic.
Fortunately, the Irons manager has two options to replace him with, but the former Croatia boss must box smart and go with Angelo Ogbonna despite temptations to throw Declan Rice into the mix.
The 18-year-old Irishman was exceptional for the Hammers during the summer and has featured in the Premier League this season, having broken into the senior squad toward the end of last term.
But with the visit of Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon, Bilic would be throwing him to the wolves if he pitted him against in-form Harry Kane at the weekend.
Spurs have been exceptional away from home this season and there’s nothing to suggest that Mauricio Pochettino’s side, spearheaded by the outstanding Kane, won’t maintain their excellent away form this season.
Rice might start in central defence against Bolton tonight in the League Cup, but regardless of how he fares, Ogbonna simply has to be the man to replace Collins for the Tottenham test.
The Premier League’s best defenders can’t stop the Spurs marksman on his day, so it doesn’t bode well for a teenager with five top-flight games under his belt.
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