Phil Thompson has heaped praise on Mark Noble for his performance in West Ham’s 3-0 win against Southampton at the London Stadium, and even compared the Hammers midfielder to Italian icon Andrea Pirlo.
Noble, 31, has been in fine form for the Irons lately and was heavily involved in their opener against the Saints on Saturday when he assisted Marko Arnautovic’s first goal since January.
Sky Sports pundit Thompson was left drooling over Noble’s fine display against Southampton and even went fair enough to say that he was passing the ball around like legendary pass master Pirlo.
“He’s has an absolutely wonderful first-half,” Thompson said on Sky Sports News on Saturday [03:32pm]. “He’s always been a good player, but you’re looking at this and a lot of players are going through the motions – not him.
“He’s like Pirlo out there. The ball’s just come to him now, he’s dipped his shoulder and hit a volley out to Masuaku on the left-hand side.
“Everything he’s done has been positive.”
OPINION
Noble has been on another level lately and was on fine form yet again when he captained West Ham to their comfortable victory over Southampton on Saturday. He has looked so composed on the ball and his passing has been exquisite at times. It does help that Pedro Obiang played well alongside Noble in the midfield, but that was the Noble show up until the point he was taken off by Manuel Pellegrini in the second-half. It may be a bit over the top to compare the midfielder to Pirlo, but there are clear similarities between the two. Both of them have got better with age and maybe Noble should grow a beard to unlock the true beast inside him. West Ham are so lucky to have a player like Noble who lives and breathes the club. You know that he will never give anything less than his all for the club.