Noel Whelan

Tue 15 February 2022 9:29, UK

Noel Whelan has suggested pressure from sponsors will not have an impact on Kurt Zouma’s future at West Ham.

The former Leeds United striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the financial impact caused by the 27-year-old’s behaviour and the club’s subsequent management of the situation would be negligible.

Zouma featured against Watford (Tuesday, 8 February) a day after footage emerged of him abusing his cat.

The decision prompted outrage among sponsors of the Irons.

Tourism firm Experience Kissimmee have ended their partnership with the club, while Vitality insurance has suspended their sponsorship.

Speaking to The Telegraph on Thursday (10 February), marketing expert Marcel Knobil claimed the commercial damage for the Hammers is already into the “millions”.

However, Whelan suggested that would have little bearing on how the club manages Zouma moving forward.

Asked if he thought pressure from sponsors could force West Ham’s hand in terms of Zouma’s playing time and future at the club, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I really don’t think it will. I think football is a business like no other.

“They’ve brought Kurt Zouma in for a reason. I think he’s been excellent during his time as a player there. What he has done is let the club down and let himself down. He has put a lot of pressure on the club.

“Financially, will it really make a difference to them losing a sponsor? No. Will they get another one? Yes. I think it’s more of the embarrassment that he’s brought onto himself and the club which is going to be more detrimental.

“Also the pressure that he’s brought onto the team. With every game that he may play from now until the end of the season, he’s going to get booed. There’s gonna be a fractious atmosphere towards him.”

Zouma missed West Ham’s clash against Leicester on Sunday due to illness.

The £30million signing is contracted until 2025.

In other news, West Ham are to open new contract talks with another senior star.