David Moyes said it would be disrespectful to discuss a move for Chelsea centre back Kurt Zouma and reiterated that he only wants to bring players in that can improve his West Ham United squad rather than make additions to merely appease those demanding new signings. Chelsea are happy to let Zouma go for a fee of about £25m but personal terms remain a hurdle with the France international looking for a wage of about £125,000. A deal is likely to be completed once Zouma is willing to accept a slightly smaller wage packet but speaking after West Ham defeated Leicester City 4-1 to go top of the Premier League table for the second day ever,
David Moyes said: “I’ll never talk about players at other clubs. It’s disrespectful to the club and player as well.”
Asked about reinforcements elsewhere, the Scot said he would like to have some additional options but only if they make the collective better. The club are also in need of a back up striker.
David Moyes added: “I think we need to add if we can but we can’t guarantee anything. We don’t probably have enough depth but trying to get players who are going to give us another level is not easy. We need to get some more reinforcements if we can do. I want players who can help me, not just people to appease those who say we need players.”
Goals from Pablo Fornals, Said Benrahma and a double from Michail Antonio earned the Hammers a second straight win to begin the campaign after Leicester saw attacker Ayoze Perez shown a red card at 1-0. It was also the first time that West Ham had played in front of a full London Stadium since Feburary 29 last year. Moyes praised the supporters for the racket they created on a night of overwhelming positivity.
David Moyes said: “I managed at Upton Park against West Ham, it was an incredible atmosphere there. Tonight was like Upton Park. It was terrific. The players gave the supporters something to cheer about but the supporters didn’t let us down.”
Brendan Rodgers, the Leicester manager, felt that Perez’s challenge on Fornals was a foul but felt the slow motion replays made it look nastier than in real time.
Brendan Rodgers said: “The result was disappointing. We kept going, kept fighting. We made mistakes tonight and got punished. We stayed in the game against a good time but then conceded the third goal and then it was difficult for us. The red card made it difficult for us but we’ll accept we lost the game and get ready for the weekend. It was a foul but I thought he was trying to stay on his feet but he was unbalanced . . . There’s no issue with the foul but he was unbalanced because he was clipped and if you see it on the TV in the replays it doesn’t look so good, of course.”
Asked if he was impressed by West Ham,
BrendanRodgers added: “They are a strong side, a very good side. Most of their players are fit, that helps. It’s still very early but they’ve had two good wins. Michail and the other boys up front are strong and score goals.”
