Is Coufal out of the starting lineup for good? His understudy Johnson is in the form of his life!

Vladimír Coufal has found tough competition in the 21-year-old Ben Johnson. Although he is already healthy, the young Englishman has been given priority in the last two games.

On September 3rd, the Czech international played his last 90 minutes, since then he has been struggling with a groin injury. He has successively missed the league match against Everton, the Europa League match against Genk. Subsequently, he also missed the league game against Tottenham, and came on for the last 9 minutes of the following game against Manchester City.

Who replaced him in the line-up? Ben Johnson, the youngster from the Hammers. And he filled in so well that Coufal will have a hard time getting back into the lineup. West Ham’s results with Johnson in the line-up have been excellent, judge for yourself!

Everton 0::1 West Ham, West Ham 3::0 Genk, West Ham 1::0 Tottenham, West Ham 0::0 (5::3 on penalties) Manchester City.

Johnson on the right side of defence is giving a really good performance. He played the full 90 minutes in all the aforementioned games and his honesty and vision ensured that his side didn’t score a goal. That’s why it wasn’t such a big surprise when coach Moyes decided not to change the winning line-up and to favour Johnson instead of the already healthy Coufal. He was only on the bench against Aston Villa.

And Johnson repaid the trust not only with a quality performance towards the back, but even with a goal! Shortly after the start of the match, he received a pass from captain Rice on the right side of the pitch, penetrated to the corner of the big white space and with a cross shot gave goalkeeper Martinez no chance!

The game was played in a very offensive way from both sides, with both teams pushing forward and the visitors eventually winning 4-1. Ben Johnson didn’t get another clean sheet, his fifth in a row. However, the goal in Aston Villa’s net will only add to the fact that David Moyes will have a hard time choosing a player for the right side of the Hammers’ defence.

It is possible that Vladimir Coufal will wait for his next start from the opening whistle. Who would have expected that a month ago?

Source:: Livesport, Transfermarkt