Another West Ham chance wasted by Grady Diangana gives cause for concern

Add as preferred source on Google

Manuel Pellegrini has not shied away from putting his faith in young midfielder Grady Diangana this season, giving the 20-year-old his first team debut and offering him a five-and-a-half year contract.

Yet, of his 17 first team appearances this season, he has only played the full 90 in three of them, all coming in cup competitions. Against AFC Wimbledon, he was given another opportunity, having been benched since Christmas in the Premier League.

He failed to take it and, for the second time this season, was hauled off at half-time by the Chilean manager who had clearly seen enough from the youngster.

There is no doubting the potential nor the creativity of the youngster, as he shows in flashes of brilliance, but he must find consistency and produce on a regular basis if he is to nail down a spot in the team.

With just one assist since his two goal debut against League Two side Macclesfield Town, he is not producing enough results to justify inclusion either.

Given that he is competing with the likes of Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio for a spot in the team, he cannot afford to take any other opportunities for granted.