As reductive as it may sound to paint a central defender as West Ham United’s key player ahead of Friday’s game against rock-bottom Wolves – especially with Crysencio Summerville returning – Konstantinos Mavropanos may need to be at his belligerent best once again.
The Hammers missed Mavropanos against Leeds in the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend, in every sense of the word.
The Greek international is fit to face Wolverhampton Wanderers, however, following a concussion he suffered on international duty. And West Ham United will be grateful for that, as the 6ft 6ins Tolu Arokodare prepares to make the trip to the London Stadium.
Sorry Pablo, but this team (if fit) are beating Wolves 👍
Any changes?
A graphic showing West Ham United's ideal XI against Wolves.
Credit: GRV Media
Konstantinos Mavropanos can combat Tolu Arokodare as West Ham United host Wolves
Arokodare has stepped into Jorgen Strand Larsen’s shoes at Molineux following the latter’s £48 million January move to Crystal Palace.
The stats show that Arokodare is the second-tallest striker in the entire Premier League, level with Nick Woltemade and only an inch behind Nottingham Forest giant Lorenzo Lucca.
Only six strikers have won more aerial duels, despite the fact the two-metre targetman has started just 12 of Wolves’ 31 matches.
Tolu Arokodare during Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Arokodare has a grand total of three goals from those 12 starts. But under Rob Edwards – who averages 0.7 points per game compared to Vitor Pereira’s 0.2 – Wolves have discarded the plodding possession football for a more direct, vertical approach.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
An approach which makes far better use of Arokodare’s giant frame and salmon-like leap.
Mavropanos likely to partner Axel Disasi on Friday night
Nuno Espirito Santo defended Max Kilman following those London Stadium jeers against Leeds. Jean-Clair Todibo is available, too. However, Kilman and Todibo are statistically some of the Premier League’s weakest centre-halves when it comes to winning aerial duels.
Who could be 2026’s answer to Mateus Fernandes?
Mavropanos, in contrast, is one of the best in this department.
Alongside Axel Disasi – another physical powerhouse – Nuno’s current first-choice defensive partnership is far better equipped to deal with Wolves’ long balls and Arokodare’s presence than the Kilman/Todibo backline of the autumn.
Mavropanos was in ‘exceptional’ form before the international break. He was a one-man barrier as Aston Villa cruised past Nuno’s side in May, while his performance against Erling Haaland and Manchester City was one of the best produced by any centre-half in the Premier League this season.
Wolves, rock bottom and 13 points from safety, unsurprisingly do not possess anywhere near the same standard of attacking talent as that at Unai Emery and Pep Guardiola’s disposal.
Still, Arokodare brings a rather unique threat. One Mavropanos appears tailor-made to combat.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox