Kurt Zouma: Pundit ‘disgusted’ after Moyes reveal at West Ham
Noel Whelan has suggested West Ham manager David Moyes made the right “footballing” decision to play Kurt Zouma despite the defender’s “disgusting” behaviour.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former striker insisted the 27-year-old deserves harsher punishment than a two-week fine but admitted he “can’t blame” Moyes for keeping him in the side.
Zouma controversially started against Watford on Tuesday just over 24 hours after footage emerged of him dropping and kicking his cat.
As quoted by Sky Sports on Friday (11 February), Moyes confirmed the defender would remain available for selection for Sunday’s game versus Leicester City.
Asked if Moyes made the right decision playing Zouma and keeping him available for selection, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “In football terms, yes. To go out and win a football match? Yes. In terms of punishment, and what he did? No.
“I think everyone would have loved to see Kurt Zouma miss a couple of games.
“But when you’ve paid so much money your best centre-half and you’re chasing down a Champions League spot, when it comes to a footballing decision, he made the right decision.
“In terms of discipline and the punishment required for what we saw, then absolutely not. Is two weeks enough of a fine? Not really, but that’s the maximum they can give a player.
“There’s no condoning what he did. I think it’s disgusting what he did, the level of cruelty that we saw. I’m sure it’s upset a lot of people around the country and around the world. He’s let himself down massively.
“When you look at the fact they came out with a win, David Moyes will defend the fact that he played him. In footballing terms, I can’t blame him.
“Sometimes it’s better to put the player in rather than take him out of the firing line. At least then he has played. Now it is done. All that huff and fuss about him playing won’t be there next week. He has already played.
“They’ve taken that pressure off him and the club by just banging him out there. However, there’s still more pressure on West Ham because this isn’t going to go away lightly.”
West Ham have fined Zouma two weeks wages for his behaviour.
Moyes insisted the club “stand by” the decision to let him continue playing.
In other news, West Ham have opened contract talks with senior star.