Angelo Ogbonna has been a standout player for West Ham this season and looks to only be getting better at the heart of the defence.
Italy has always had a trend of producing some great defenders. The country has seen legends of the game such as Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini. One thing they were all able to do is to continue to play at a high level well into their thirties. This is certainly a trait West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna has developed.
Having signed for the Hammers from Juventus in 2015 for a fee of around £10 million the Italian has proved to be a reliable member of the team. Now 32-years-old some people would expect the defender’s powers to start to fade after 168 appearances, but instead Ogbonna is only getting better.
Since David Moyes’ return to the club, Ogbonna has rediscovered his best form and was unlucky not be voted Hammer of the Year last season. The veteran was beaten to the accolade by rising star Declan Rice.
This season, however, Ogbonna has to be the early favourite for the award after his performances so far this season. The Italian has been the lynchpin of Moyes’ new defensive system. While Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku have received the plaudits for finding their best form, Ogbonna has been putting in regular man of the match performances.
In the two most recent games the Hammers have kept back-to-back clean sheets, an achievement the Hammers are not used too. Fulham and Sheffield United rarely threatened the Hammers goal because of the marshalling of Ogbonna.
The performances being put in by Ogbonna have seen him be recalled to the Italian national squad by Roberto Mancini. Despite not making an appearance, getting recalled to the squad is still a remarkable achievement by the 32-year-old.
West Ham fans will be hoping Ogbonna can follow in his predecessor’s footsteps and continue producing at his current level for years to come. If Ogbonna is successful in fulfilling these wishes he will undoubtedly become a cult hero at the club.