West Ham’s Centre-Back Dilemma – Dawson vs Diop
By Alex Smith
West Ham were poor in the 1-0 defeat to Wolves on Saturday. The Hammers were simply not at the races. Wolves, on the other hand, took full advantage of West Ham’s sloppy performance.
It seemed clear that West Ham missed the presence of centre-back Angelo Ogbonna. The Italian is going to be out for a long period of time with an ACL injury and may not play again this season meaning that Craig Dawson or Issa Diop will come in to replace him.
There is a debate as to who manager, David Moyes, should choose to partner Kurt Zouma at the back between Dawson and Diop. We analyse both options:
West Ham have a decision to make at centre-back. Who should start Craig Dawson or Issa Diop?
The injury to Ogbonna is a devastating one. The 33-year-old is a likeable character and an excellent defender. He was just starting to form a solid partnership alongside Zouma in the heart of the defence but the injury has opened up an opportunity for Dawson and Diop, who were both restricted to the Europa League and cup starts only.
The pair have looked solid while playing together in Europe, however, against notably weaker opposition.
Craig Dawson
The 31-year-old was excellent last season cementing a place in Moyes’ starting XI. Come the end of the last season though, Dawson began to look shaky, for example, the first half red card in the 3-2 defeat to Newcastle, it was one of the games that cost West Ham a Champions League place. Also, in the early stage of this campaign, before the arrival of Zouma, Dawson was not convincing such as in the 2-2 draw to Crystal Palace. Dropping him was a simple decision when Zouma arrived from Chelsea.
There has been good moments this season for Dawson though. He again proved reliable when needed in the wins over Liverpool and then Man City in the Carabao Cup, where he scored an emphatic penalty (West Ham could do with a good penalty taker in the side after missing the last few).
It’s also worth noting Dawson is fantastic in the air, which is important for West Ham given their set piece record of scoring from more than any other team since Moyes returned to the Hammers.
Dawson got the nod ahead of Diop when Ogbonna went off versus Liverpool and against Wolves but he did not play well against Bruno Lage’s side giving the ball away on many occasions leading to Wolves counter attacks. However, it is harsh to single him out in a bad team display.
Issa Diop
The Frenchman has been a puzzling player at times for West Ham. In moments, he has been sensational for the Irons especially in Manuel Pellegrini’s first season, Jose Mourinho referred to him as a monster.
However, Diop has been inconsistent in a claret and blue shirt suffering from lapses in concentration. But when Diop is playing his best there is no doubt he can be a top centre-back and he still has potential at the age of just 24.
West Ham will hope that Moyes can work his coaching magic on Diop, like they have on Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma, as he will become a more important member of the squad following Ogbonna’s absence.
There is still a chance West Ham could move for a new centre-back in January. James Tarkowski is one who has been linked with a move to London Stadium.
Further up the pitch, Jesse Lingard, could be on his way back to East London following the additional investment in the club from Daniel Kretinsky.