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The East End Italian Stallion: Angelo Ogbonna

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Eden Hazard of Chelsea takes on Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on April 08, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Eden Hazard of Chelsea takes on Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on April 08, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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No player is more unpredictable and able to impact the team quite like Angelo Ogbonna, who showed that off last season for the West Ham.

The Italian center-back relied on more than he or West Ham was probably comfortable last season, but in the injury absence of both Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena Ogbonna stepped up for his team.

The instant criticism on Ogbonna is fairly obvious. His decision making is questionable at times and he seems to have a penalty in him at all times waiting to happen. It also doesn’t help that Diop and Balbuena played so well together last season, putting Ogbonna behind the eight-ball immediately.

Positively, Ogbonna is a tower defender who can impact the game defensively and offensively with his height and ability to win aerial duels. He tends to show up every season once or twice on the scoresheet, as last season in 20 matches he managed three goals and one assist.

This season becomes a challenge for Ogbonna as Winston Reid is healthy again, and newly signed youngster Goncalo Cardoso are both pushing for his place as third-choice striker. Ogbonna played a lot in preseason and likely is starting in that position, but both players offer alternatives that could be attractive.

Cardoso was signed for a reason; Pellegrini was unimpressed (rightfully so) with the Hammers preseason defensive form, allowing goals against in every game except the Fulham match. With this young but highly rated prospect signing, he will likely get a chance to impress with the first team should an opportunity present itself.

As well, Reid is healthy (for now) and brings with him a long tenure of being a West Ham player. We all know Reid isn’t going to be healthy for this whole season, he’s physically frail and injuries will come. That being said, he offers leadership in the dressing room and vice-captain experience in the backline. I’m not sure he’ll break back through this season, but he’s a grizzled veteran.

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When he plays there is never a dull moment. Ogbonna has not earned a demotion as he helped stabilize the team last year with Pellegrini, but at 31-years old I fear this could be his last season with the Hammers. If that’s the case, he’ll want to make it a memorable one. Look for the Italian to be a mainstay in the Cup team.