West Ham Fan TV’s Dan Lawless has shared his frustration following suggestions that Issa Diop could be out for the rest of the season.
While Diop has not been a regular starter throughout the campaign, he has filled in whenever needed. However, he suffered a knock in the final stages of the Hammers’ 1-1 draw with Burnley at the weekend, and after initial tests were carried out, it was indicated the Frenchman could miss up to eight weeks and therefore the end of the campaign.
Writing on Twitter, Lawless shared his anger at this latest blow. He said: “Rumours going round Diop is out for the season now??? You have got to be taking the p*** now, honestly.
“3 CBs with serious injuries, we have the worst luck. They should give us 2 trophies if we win the Europa League.”
TIF Thoughts on Diop’s absence…
The Irons’ draw against the Clarets has all but ended their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through the Premier League. With five games left, David Moyes’ men trail Tottenham Hotspur in fourth by five points, and the Lilywhites even possess a game in hand over the east London outfit.
Therefore, reaching Europe’s premier club competition is only realistically possible via the Europa League. In this year’s edition, West Ham face Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals. £10.8m-valued Diop started the quarter-final second leg against Lyon, which his side won 3-0, alongside Craig Dawson, but with the Frenchman unavailable, Dawson is currently the only fit and ready centre-half in the squad.
Will West Ham beat Frankfurt?
Yes
No
Angelo Ogbonna suffered an ACL injury against Liverpool, while Kurt Zouma may also be on the sidelines for the remainder of the term after damaging his ankle.
Any player Moyes names alongside Dawson at the heart of the back four against Frankfurt, who beat Barcelona over two legs in the last round, will be a gamble. Having already featured there in the past, Declan Rice may be asked to step into the breach, but losing his presence in the middle of the park would arguably be a blow to West Ham.
It may be a situation where the Hammers have to go and attack their opponents and win 4-3 rather than 1-0. Moyes, at least, will be hoping at least one of the injuries to Diop or Zouma is not as serious as first thought.