Premier League

West Ham United: Dan Lawless rips into Issa Diop after picture emerges

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Image for West Ham United: Dan Lawless rips into Issa Diop after picture emerges

West Ham Fan TV’s Dan Lawless recently took to Twitter to rip into former West Ham United defender Issa Diop after a picture emerged of his poor defending this past weekend. 

After having spent a ludicrous amount of money during the transfer window – £125.15m according to Transfermarkt – the Hammers have sold just one player this summer, that being 25-year-old centre-back Diop for £17m.

The east London club had already brought in the highly rated Nayef Aguerd, as well as promising young starlet Thilo Kehrer, so losing Diop will not worry fans. However, after his recent display against Arsenal, they may be happy that he’s gone.

Diop made his Premier League debut for Fulham this weekend in the club’s narrow 2-1 loss to the league leaders. After going a goal up thanks to Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Gunners equalised soon after through Martin Odegaard and then found the winner in the 86th minute following Gabriel’s late strike.

While Fulham played well throughout the game, Diop was singled out by Lawless on Twitter as the defender was seen just watching Gabriel put the ball in the net for the winner after missing his header at the front post from a corner.

Lawless wrote: “That £17m we got is looking like daylight robbery, wow.”

TIF Thoughts on the Diop deal…

We think West Ham have managed to swindle Fulham in the deal for Diop, here. The Frenchman only made 13 Premier League appearances last season and just 18 the season before. So selling a player who has barely played in the last two seasons for over £15m is a great deal for the selling club.

It is even more incredible when you look at some of the other centre-backs who have been bought in for less than Diop in the last couple of seasons. During the 2021 summer window, Joachim Andersen, Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins all moved clubs for less than Diop and have impressed at their new clubs.

Despite sitting 11th after their first four games, it is hard to see how Fulham keep their top-flight status after this season if they continue to defend in the way that they do. They can score goals, but if they have to rely on players like Diop, they could be in trouble if his debut is anything to go by.

Meanwhile, the Hammers are on a new trajectory this season, as they have another legitimate chance to challenge the top six and challenge in Europe again. Selling players like Diop for the price they did shows how far they have come not just on the field, but off it as well.

Was Diop a good sale for West Ham

Yes

Yes

No

No

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