Issa Diop deserved to lose West Ham starting berth against Chelsea

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West Ham United manager made a bold call in dropping Issa Diop to the substitutes’ bench against Chelsea on Monday – but it was the right call from the Chilean.

Summer signing Fabian Balbuena was brought back in alongside Angelo Ogbonna for his first appearance since picking up an injury against Watford in December.

The Paraguayan actually required surgery for the issue, which was a big blow for the Hammers.

The £6.5 million signing (Sky Sports) had been in great form in the early stages of the season and the Irons have undoubtedly missed his commanding presence at the back.

Certainly his absence appears to have negatively affected fellow summer signing Diop, who made for Balbuena against the Blues.

TBR’s view

It was the right call for Pellegrini to drop Diop at Stamford Bridge.

The young Frenchman has not been at his imposing best in recent weeks, with his more senior teammate Ogbonna having outperformed him.

The £22 million signing from Toulouse (BBC Sport) has been a bit shaky of late, with his performances against Everton and Huddersfield particularly alarming.

With Balbuena needing to be brought back in, it was therefore the correct decision to leave Ogbonna in and take Diop out of the equation against Chelsea – the first time that’s happened since he made his debut on August 25.

The Hammers ultimately lost 2-0 (BBC Sport), but Pellegrini was within his rights to do what he did.

Ogbonna is not the most popular figure amongst fans, but he deserves to keep his place in the side for the time being, with Diop in need of some protection amid his first poor spell.