David Moyes confirms West Ham will prioritise a new defender in January following Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna injury blows – but boss admits club ‘might not get what we want’ from the winter market
- West Ham recently lost Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna to serious injuries
- Ogbonna is out for the season after damaging his ACL vs Liverpool last month
- Zouma has joined his defensive partner on the sidelines with a hamstring injury
- David Moyes admits they may now need to sign a new centre-back next month
David Moyes admits West Ham are likely to prioritise a new centre-back in the January transfer window after losing first-choice defensive duo Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna to injury.
Ogbonna, 33, is out for the season after damaging his cruciate ligament during the Hammers’ 3-2 win at home to Liverpool last month.
And to add to Moyes’ woes, Zouma has joined his defensive partner on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring tendon injury during Saturday’s victory over former club Chelsea, which could keep him out of action for the next two months.
David Moyes admits West Ham are likely to prioritise a new centre-back in January
Hammers defensive duo Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma are both out with serious injuries
The West Ham boss has been left with Craig Dawson and Issa Diop as his only remaining centre-backs, meaning a change of strategy is required in the winter market.
‘We’ve picked up a few injuries to some defenders so that could make us look differently,’ Moyes said.
‘I think we had hopefully been looking to add a forward player but we had a problem with that even in the summer window, where we were trying but there was nothing there and that’s not to say there would be anything there in January.
‘So I think it will mean that we have to start maybe considering looking for a defender if possible but we will see how it goes because there’s nothing decided yet.’
Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car is believed to be on Moyes’ radar ahead of the winter window
Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car and Burnley’s James Tarkowski are believed to be on Moyes’ radar, while Hertha Berlin’s Niklas Stark is another potential option.
The Scot added: ‘If we could get one, would I try and get him early? Yes I would.
‘But the truth is we might not get one or might not get what we want. I will need to try and balance exactly what would be best for us.
‘I’ll see what we think the recovery time of players coming back is as well, that could have an influence on whether we need to take somebody immediately or if we think we can wait a bit later in January.’