David Moyes excited by ‘stylish’ Nayef Aguerd debut as £30m West Ham signing nears injury return

FILE PHOTO: Pre Season Friendly - Rangers v West Ham United
REUTERS
Marc Mayo26 October 2022

David Moyes expressed his delight at preparing to give Nayef Aguerd his debut for West Ham after three months out injured.

The Moroccan defender required surgery on an ankle problem suffered in a pre-season game at Rangers but could be fit to feature against Silkeborg on Thursday evening.

Hammers boss Moyes detailed £30million signing Aguerd’s recovery ahead of the game while asserting that he is not yet at the level required for Premier League action.

“I don't want to put too much on him,” Moyes told reporters.

“I want to give him time. But he's a good reader of the game. He's quick and he's good in the air. But because he's not played any Premier League games, it's difficult for us to give an overall judgement.

"I don't think he's ready for the Premier League games but we'll see for this European games. He's keen and he's a good character. I've got to say, we think he's a really stylish footballer."

The manager added: “He will give us, hopefully, a natural left-footed balance at centre-back. I see Nayef giving us something we've not had.

“The Moroccan national team have been great. He did all his early rehab with them. We're really looking forward to having him back. He's an enthusiastic guy who is top in the dressing room.

“I want to get him used to the standards and physicality of the Premier League.”

With Aguerd the last of West Ham’s big summer signings to make his debut, fellow defender Ben Johnson added his belief that the investment made in the squad last summer is beginning to pay off.

“We lost a great bunch of lads last year and we've replaced them with some great lads from different countries,” he said.

“The calibre of player this season is very high. Great players who represent their nations at international levels. This is the best group I've been a part of before.

“Our new players have been adapting to the league. We've got new lads here and it's been a little difficult to get everyone to gel.

“A slow start isn't what we wanted but it happened and we're just trying to rectify that and get points on the board.”

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