Pundit tips ‘massive’ January signing at West Ham after Kurt Zouma blow – ‘he’s the one’
Noel Whelan has claimed West Ham must go into the transfer market in January to secure a replacement for injured star Kurt Zouma.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Irons are not able to replace the 28-year-old’s “massive presence” with what they already have.
West Ham confirmed last week (24 November) via club media that Zouma has undergone knee surgery and will continue his rehabilitation at the Rush Green training ground.
The France international had been struggling with a pre-existing issue and was subbed off after just 15 minutes in the Irons’ last Premier League fixture against Leicester.
David Moyes’ side signed centre-back Nayef Aguerd during the summer window but he is yet to make a top-flight start after suffering injury on the eve of the season’s kick-off.
Whelan suggested the Hammers could struggle to replace the Frenchman’s output in January.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s their big name at the back.
“He’s the one they went all out for in the transfer market so they could have that leader at the back.
“To have him now out for the foreseeable future is a massive blow.
“Where are you going to fill that gap? The January transfer window isn’t the same as the summer in terms of price, availability, and quality.
“They’ve got to think about how they can fill that void. He’s a massive presence and I don’t think they can replace him with what they’ve got.
“They may have to go into the window for a transfer or a loan in January.”
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