Since joining West Ham United, one player has faced significant challenges, and Joe Cole has shed light on the possible reasons behind his struggles.
Having initiated his career at West Ham, Joe Cole achieved great success with Chelsea after leaving the East London club in 2003. Cole, being a beloved figure among Hammers supporters, holds considerable influence when discussing the current team.
During his punditry role at the TNT Sports studio for the recent Europa League match against TSC Backa Topola, Cole was questioned about the difficulties experienced by Danny Ings since his arrival at the London Stadium in January.
In the latest game, manager David Moyes opted for young striker Divin Mubama over the 31-year-old Ings in the starting lineup. Despite Moyes offering post-match support to Ings after a lackluster performance against Burnley, it became evident in the subsequent match in Serbia that Ings has been struggling since joining West Ham.
Joe Cole, addressing the issue on TNT Sports (Thursday, November 30th, 5:08 pm), expressed that Ings, despite his history as a capable striker, has faced challenges at West Ham due to a mismatch with Moyes’s system. Cole argued that Moyes made a significant error by bringing the 31-year-old to the Hammers, as it should have been apparent that Ings does not align with Moyes’s demand for a physical, channel-running forward who creates space for teammates.
“It hasn’t worked out for Danny Ings.” He’s a quality player with plenty of goals left in him. I think the way David Moyes likes to play, Mubama, he can stretch you, but Danny, he used to be a runner and now he’s a terrific technique and box player. It’s a shame for Danny.”
According to Cole, Ings is not suited to Moyes’s system, and he anticipates the striker departing the club, either in January or the upcoming summer transfer window.