David Moyes insists West Ham defender Issa Diop is going nowhere next month

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West Ham manager David Moyes has defiantly stated that Issa Diop will not be changing clubs next month.

The Frenchman has been on the periphery at the London Stadium in 2020/21 and has made just four appearances so far, equating to just 297 minutes on the pitch.

The switch to a back three with wing-backs saw him lose his place, with Aaron Cresswell preferred at left centre-back, and Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna occupying the other two positions.

The trio have been impressive in the new formation and Moyes, perhaps understandably, has been reluctant to get Diop back into the starting XI.

The situation has led to some to speculation about his immediate future, but Moyes is pretty adamant Diop will be retained beyond the winter window.

He said (quoted by the Evening Standard): “I’ve got no intention in letting any players go.

“Issa’s one of the players we really like.

“He started in the team, he picked up the virus at the same time as I did. Fabian Balbuena has come in and played very well, you know that’s what happens in football. But we’ve got no intention whatsoever letting Issa go. None.”

TBR’s View – Diop must bust a gut

West Ham will hope £67,000-a-week star Diop (Spotrac) can work hard and force his way back into the starting XI.

He has shown previously he can be a quality Premier League defender, but with West Ham’s defensive improvements recently, he can’t possibly play ahead of the others just at the moment.

It’ll be a frustrating time for Diop, but his chance will come again and he just needs to work hard to prove Moyes right to keep him.