LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: A general view inside the stadium as Neal Maupay of Brighton & Hove Albion scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on December 27, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna, and Konstantinos Mavropanos should all be moved by West Ham United during the summer transfer window, according to Frank McAvennie.
Ogbonna’s contract expires at the end of this season, and Zouma’s only got one year remaining on it; meanwhile, Mavropanos, who only signed last summer, is signed through 2028.
Speaking only to West Ham Zone, McAvennie believes the trio has to be replaced and supports Julen Lopetegui’s decision to sell five players.
“I would let Zouma, Ogbonna, and [Mavropanos] go,” he murmured. “Go somewhere else and play football.
“I could fit in two or three decent ones. or two, and one or both of them must be a capable center-half emerging from within.
“I would insert a central midfielder. I estimate that there will be five players because [Lopetegui] will want to bench five players as soon as he enters the game.
“Players in that changing room aren’t getting any action. Who knows? Ings might not want to play the way David does, therefore it might be better for him. I’m not sure what style of football [Lopetegui] plays; he might use a 4-4-2 formation, for example. Perhaps we will get lucky.
Should Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna, and Konstantinos Mavropanos leave West Ham United?
Before the 2024–2025 season starts, Ogbonna will be 36 years old, so it would make sense for West Ham to let his contract expire.
Zouma, too, despite his status as club captain, would leave for free next summer unless he signs a new deal and his performances have done little to convince that he is worth keeping into his thirties.
Mavropanos, however, at the age of 26 and on a long-term deal, could be a player worth persisting with, unless a significant offer comes in for his services.
This summer, new head coach Lopetegui is anticipated to supervise a major squad change; when the dust settles, it will be interesting to see which players are still on the team and which new faces have joined.
