Aston Villa will be the first opponent for West Ham this weekend as they prepare for the new Premier League campaign under manager Julen Lopetegui.
This campaign is an exciting one for Hammers fans, as it’s their first season adopting a new style of play.
Numerous new players, including Guido Rodriguez, Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Guido Rodriguez, could make their competitive debuts for West Ham this weekend.
But two more defenders could still arrive this window for West Ham, with Wan-Bissaka undergoing a medical in order to join the club from Manchester United, and links to another central defender signing, as Kurt Zouma could leave.
West Ham transfer news
- Last week, there were rumours in Italy that West Ham was interested in Nathan Zeze, the defender for Nantes.
Nantes reportedly values the 19-year-old at £30m, but this is believed to be a figure that can be negotiated.
Inter Milan are apparently another team interested in the young defender. However, the reports state the valuations between the clubs are “very distant”, and therefore Zeze looks closer to a move to England, rather than Italy.
The Hammers have reportedly identified the centre-back as a target this month, according to ExWHUemployee, who confirmed these rumours on Sunday via his Patreon.
Zeze played over 1000 minutes for Nantes last season in 13 appearances in all of Ligue 1, helping to preserve two clean sheets.
How Zeze compares to Kurt Zouma
The 6 foot 3 central defender was described as “incredible” by scout Jacek Kulig, who praised the youngster’s talent. Like Zouma, Zeze’s physical frame is impressive, especially considering he is only 19-years-old.
Zeze is comparable to another French defender who made a significant summer transfer, Leny Yoro, who came from Lille to Manchester United.
During the previous season, the Nantes defence actually won more aerial duels than Yoro—3.5 out of 90, versus Yoro’s 2.58.
| Zeze vs Zouma comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (per 90 mins) | Zeze | Zouma |
| Passes Attempted | 42.2 | 36.3 |
| Progressive Passes | 2.63 | 1.55 |
| Passes into Final Third | 1.93 | 1.63 |
| Tackles | 0.96 | 0.76 |
| Interceptions | 1.05 | 0.96 |
| Blocks | 1.05 | 1.18 |
| Aerials Won | 1.49 | 1.89 |
| Aerials Won % | 58.6% | 58.3% |
| Stats taken from FBref | ||
Zeze brings a calmness on the ball that Zouma doesn’t have, despite their 10-year age gap. The 19-year-old manages more passes per 90, more progressive passes, and more passes into the final third, showing the bravery to break the lines with his passing.
He also doesn’t lack in the defensive department, winning a higher percentage of his aerial duels than Zouma, who is largely known as one of the better players in the air, in the Premier League.
However, one key difference between the two, is that the West Ham defender is right-footed, whilst Zeze is a left-footed centre-back. This could lead to some issues, as new signing Kilman and Nayef Aguerd are also both left-footed central defenders. This would leave them with a lack of right-footed centre-back options.
If the Hammers can figure out a way to use at least two of the left-footed centre-backs, perhaps in a back three, this could prove to be a very good deal, replacing Zouma with a more progressive and comfortable passer, who has big potential.
