Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that Thilo Kehrer faces a late fitness test for West Ham United and could be in line to start on Saturday lunchtime.
What’s the word?
The Hammers will take on Chelsea in the Premier League at home hoping to pick up another positive result.
Indeed, David Moyes’ men claimed an impressive point away at Newcastle United last weekend and beat Everton in the league the game before.
However, in that 1-1 draw at St James’ Park, Kehrer was forced off at half-time with an injury and his manager even claimed that the defender would miss this London derby against the Blues.
He said: “Thilo is a problem, Thilo came off with an injury, so that’s the main one.”
Despite this, in an update on The West Ham Way Patreon page , Ex has now revealed that the German faces a late fitness test – but he is in the squad and could come in for Ben Johnson.He explained: “There were some injury concerns around Kehrer who had to be replaced at halftime against Newcastle. The club will do a late test on him but he is in the squad.”
He added: “One selection dilemma Moyes has to make is whether, if Kehrer is fit, he sticks with him or brings in Ben Johnson, who was impressive as his replacement in the second half.”
Big call
Since arriving from PSG in the summer, Kehrer has played regularly for Moyes but had actually been dropped to the bench in three of the last five games he’d been available.
However, with Kurt Zouma injured, the defender came back into the team against Newcastle before coming off with his own fitness struggles.
In the game, he was replaced by Johnson who performed solidly and helped the side cling on for a point without letting in any goals while he was on the pitch.
Indeed, as per Sofascore, he finished the match with three clearances, one tackle, 1/1 aerial duels won, and 1/3 ground duels won. As a result, his match score rating was 6.7 – which is better than the 6.3 display Kehrer managed in his 45-minute spell.
All in all, it sounds like German may well be fit enough to make the squad but Moyes may prefer to keep a fully fit Johnson in the starting team regardless.