According to BBC Sport, West Ham United defender Konstantinos Mavropanos may play his first game at the London Stadium on Saturday, September 16 against Manchester City.
The Greek international has recovered from a back injury, according to the UK news source (15 September), and might play for his new club for the first time on Saturday after moving for £17 million from Stuttgart [Sky Sports, 23 August].
Due to a back problem, Mavropanos only played once for Greece during the international break, but he was instrumental in a 5-0 victory over Gibraltar in a Euro 2024 qualifying match by scoring twice, earning him a spot on the Sofascore team of the week.
Buoyed
While the new defender for the Hammers has yet to make an appearance for the club due to injury, it is reasonable to assume that he is healthy and prepared to contribute should David Moyes want to use him for the encounter against Manchester City.
The Greek international was outstanding in midweek’s match against Gibraltar, rounding off a strong and assured defensive display with two goals from headers.
The former Stuttgart and Arsenal player will undoubtedly score goals in front of his new supporters soon, as West Ham United has been the Premier League’s set-piece king in recent times.
For the 25-year-old, going up against Erling Haaland and the rest of Pep Guardiola’s team would be a baptism of fire, but he will be returning from international duty boosted by his performance for Greece in the previous week.
Even if Mavropanos might not start the match, Moyes won’t be surprised if the Hammers decide to bring him on if they want to maintain a lead. In that case, the 25-year-old will serve as the anchor for the team.
Whether or not he plays on Sunday, Moyes
