West Ham United defender Konstantinos Mavropanos spoke enthusiastically about the honour of captaining the Hammers against Burton Albion yesterday.
There were the usual clichés and platitudes you’d expect from anyone making their first appearance as skipper, but I genuinely felt Mavropanos meant it. Wearing the armband clearly mattered to him.
And while the opposition weren’t [Premier League](https://www.claretandhugh.info/premier-league-bio/) standard, Dinos embraced the responsibility admirably.
In what was a dull and uninspiring game, he was at times West Ham’s biggest attacking threat — while also acting as the defensive linchpin at the back.
That in itself tells you plenty.
Todibo Return Gives Nuno a Genuine Dilemma
------------------------------------------
Mavropanos’ form, combined with the encouraging performances of on-loan Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, has handed Nuno Espírito Santo a welcome problem.
Because unless Nuno reverts to a back three, he now faces a tough call when Jean-Clair Todibo returns from suspension.
It’s no longer a foregone conclusion that Mavropanos drops to the bench.
Recent results and performances suggest West Ham haven’t suffered too much in Todibo’s absence — and at this point, it would feel harsh to omit Mavropanos, who has arguably been the club’s most reliable and consistent defender this season.
For once, Nuno has a genuine selection headache.
And it’ll be fascinating to see which way he goes.