West Ham United manager David Moyes has revealed Kurt Zouma and Gianluca Scamacca will miss their Premier League match against Manchester City. The Hammers are four points above the relegation zone, with just a game in hand and only five games left in the season, but they travel to the title-chasing City on Wednesday.
Scamacca will not be able to play as he is still sidelined after undergoing knee surgery last month. Additionally, Zouma has been ruled out due to an ankle injury he acquired in the loss to Crystal Palace, meaning he will not be able to play as well. “We’ve got one or two knocks and niggles,” he told Football.London “Our biggest concern is Kurt Zouma; we think he’ll be out for a few weeks, but we’re still assessing his ankle.”
Hammers are not yet safe and cannot assume anything even though their position in the Premier League standings looks to be improving as a result of recent results and performances that makes it particularly difficult to lose Zouma, who has been their best central defender this year.
Probable Effect On West Ham Regarding Zouma’s Absence
In particular, this makes the probable loss of Zouma difficult because he has been their top central defender this year. The team can build from the back because of his skill with the ball, but the club can also defend deep with his stature and positioning and aerial skills.
The injury to Moyes will almost certainly force him to start Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd in all upcoming matches, which will make the already challenging duties even more difficult. Although he should be able to make a comeback before the season is over. West Ham will need to find a way to win without two of their best players in pivotal roles.
The injury has the potential to knock the 28-year-old out for the rest of the season, but Zouma is renowned as a rapid healer. West Ham supporters are optimistic that the player will return to participate in the team’s efforts to avoid relegation and win the Europa Conference League.
There will be anxiety regarding Zouma’s injury record. He has suffered a number of setbacks since coming from Chelsea two years ago, including knee surgery this season.
Probable Replacement Against Man City
Angelo Ogbonna is expected to replace Zouma against City, and Thilo Kehrer is also expected to play. West Ham may be without Zouma as they face AZ Alkmaar in the opening match of the Conference League semi-final on Thursday, as Moyes’ club has a challenging run of league games ahead of them.
After visiting City, they host Manchester United on Sunday before travelling to Brentford on May 14th. They complete the season with games against two relegation rivals, Leeds United and Leicester City.
