Vlasic ‘struggling’ at West Ham after ‘really poor’ Moyes reveal – pundit
Kevin Phillips fears it will take West Ham midfielder Nikola Vlasic “a while” to settle into the Premier League.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the 2000 European Golden Shoe winner said the 24-year-old “has struggled” since his £25.7million move from CSKA Moscow in the summer.
Vlasic was handed only his second Premier League start on Boxing Day as the Irons slipped to a 3-2 defeat to Southampton at the London Stadium.
David Moyes hauled the Croatia international and his teammate Pablo Fornals off after just 45 minutes of the clash.
Speaking to Football.London on the decision (26 December), Moyes said his attacking players “were really poor” in the first half.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of Vlasic’s form, Phillips said: “Vlasic has struggled.
“It’s a tough one because it takes a while for some players to settle in. This is a classic example.
“Vlasic is obviously a good player, his career proves that. But when he gets these opportunities he needs to take them and he hasn’t.
“I fear it’s going to take a while for him to settle in, to be honest.
“Either way it was good for him to get minutes last week. It will hopefully do him the world of good.
“Players are improving under David Moyes. We can see that. I have no worries about Vlasic not performing in time under his management.”
In other news, a pundit fears West Ham will miss out on European football next season after a referee makes a confession.