West Ham star El Hadji Malick Diouf has enjoyed a strong international break.placeholder image
West Ham star El Hadji Malick Diouf has enjoyed a strong international break. | Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo must encourage the West Ham full back to take his international form into upcoming Premier League action.
West Ham look to pick up where they left off after the international break ahead of a tricky period of fixtures. Nuno Espirito Santo may have been dreading the upcoming matches but can at least go into the clashes buoyed by back to back wins over Newcastle United and Burnley.
Next up for the Hammers is a trip to AFC Bournemouth before Liverpool visit the London Stadium next weekend. West Ham will need to be at their best to get results from those fixtures and continue climbing up the table and there is one player who could inspire results in those matches.
That player could be full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf. The 20-year-old was signed from Slavia Prague for £19 million this summer and has immediately become one of the first names in the starting XI at left back.
West Ham defender must inspire teammates with international form
Diouf arrived in London with a reputation for his attacking impetus and marauding runs. The player did register three assists in his first five Premier League outings but opportunities to showcase his flair going forwards have been somewhat limited by the side’s form.
However, with West Ham now perhaps having turned a corner under Nuno, Diouf should look to put pedal to the gas when it comes to showing his full potential in leading attacks - just as he did for Senegal this week.
The 20-year-old was one of the star players for Senegal as the nation thrashed Kenya 8-0, scoring his first international goal to make it 2-0 after 13 minutes. He joined Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane, Ibrahim Mbaye and Cherif Ndiaye on the scoresheet.
AllAfrica praised Diouf for his role in what was described as an ‘offensive avalanche’ from Senegal with the defender a key cog in the machine. That emphatic win and landmark performance from the defender could inspire West Ham.
El Hadji Malick Diouf can capitalise on AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool weakness
It bodes particularly well with AFC Bournemouth struggling against the left hand side of Aston Villa’s midfield in the 4-0 defeat prior to the break. Emi Buendia and Amadou Onana were both on the scoresheet with Cherries right back Adam Smith replaced early on due to injury.
Alex Jimenez came on in his place but was rated a 4/10 for his efforts by the Bournemouth Echo. The outlet wrote: “A poor showing from the Spaniard – he looked all over the place when he came on for Smith early doors and then was replaced at halftime after picking up a booking.”
Following AFC Bournemouth, Diouf can then cause problems up against Connor Bradley for Liverpool with the right hand side of Arne Slot’s defence somewhat of a weak point this season.
In other news, West Ham race Everton and Leeds United to sign £26m bagsman who is 'banging in goals'.
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