West Ham may be set for Declan Rice blow after injury ‘crisis’ twist – pundit
West Ham should not push Declan Rice back to centre-back amidst their defensive injury “crisis”, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed West Ham’s problems at the back could ruin their chances of winning the Europa League.
The Guardian reported on Tuesday (19 April) Issa Diop could now be out for the season after suffering an ankle injury during the 1-1 draw with Burnley last weekend (17 April).
It leaves Craig Dawson as the club’s only fit senior centre-back although Rice has filled in at the back in the past.
“They’ve been unlucky this season with injuries West Ham,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“But this defender crisis could ruin their season. If you look at Declan Rice going back there and playing centre-half you’re going to miss him in the middle of the pitch. You’re going to need Declan Rice in the middle.
“This could cost West Ham the chance of winning the Europa League.
“For me, this crisis it could get worse as there are still some games to go. If I’m West Ham I’m resting a lot of players against Chelsea at the weekend, trying to concentrate on the Europa League.
“There are a lot of games and Eintracht Frankfurt are a good side, they proved that by knocking out Barcelona so it’s going to be two tough games against them.”
West Ham host Frankfurt at the London Stadium next Thursday (28 April) before the return leg in Germany the following week.
They still have five Premier League games left and are currently just five points behind the top four.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has saluted an ‘amazing deal’ as West Ham are set to bag a £2million-a-year boost.