Sports reporter Tom Clark previously covered West Ham United for Football.London, so we asked him for his thoughts on Issa Diop's transfer to Fulham.
What were your initial impressions when you heard Issa Diop was signing for Fulham?
That this is a signing that works for everyone. Diop was not getting enough football at West Ham but is a Premier League-level centre-back who once had international ambitions, so regular first-team football is a necessity for him. West Ham get to bank a good transfer fee for a player who had fallen down the pecking order and Fulham get an experienced player who can slot straight into their backline. It seems a win for all involved.
Were you surprised to see West Ham let him go?
The short answer is no.
Diop has been a good player for West Ham and was much needed last season due to injuries within the squad, however, with the Hammers signing Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma in the last 12 months, Angelo Ogbonna's soon to be full return from injury, and Craig Dawson's surprisingly successful move to East London, Diop was going to struggle for game time this season.
A couple of seasons ago Diop had been earmarked as a key cog in the Hammers backline but it has not worked out that way and a fresh start and regular matches will be hugely beneficial to the Frenchman.
What are his strengths as a centre-back?
His athleticism stands out. Diop is extremely quick and uses this to his advantage to cover for his fellow centre-back. With Zouma and Ogbonna out injured last season, Diop partnered Dawson for a long spell and it was Dawson's power in the air matched with Diop's pace that helped West Ham go through a long stretch without their main men at the back.
Diop is quick to get his passes away, often looking for a quick ball out wide or into the midfield, he is unlikely to dally on the ball and get caught in possession too often, and as shown with a superb assist against Leicester last season he has the ability to play a long pass when given the opportunity to get his head up and pick one out.
His numbers suggest he’s got a goal in him, too?
There is no doubt he is a threat at set-pieces, any man at 6'4 is going to cause the opposition trouble but it will all be about the quality of the set-plays. West Ham in recent seasons have worked tirelessly on making the most of deadball situations and Diop was one of a number of players to benefit from this. Get the ball in the right area and Diop will attack it with gusto.
Does he tend to operate more on the right or left?
For the majority of last season, Diop partnered Dawson and did so from the left centre-back position, and was equally as comfortable in a back-three when David Moyes elected to change formation.
He was West Ham’s record signing for a time – he must’ve arrived with a big reputation?
He did, with Jose Mourinho even referring to him as "a monster who dominated in the duels” when at just 21-years-old he dominated a Hammers game against Manchester United. He never really hit those heights again but if Fulham can get him back to that kind of form they will be very happy with their new defender.
Do you think he’ll be a good fit for Fulham?
Absolutely. He is a proven Premier League player with European experience who will slot into the defence and add great physicality and athleticism to the backline. It really does look like a great deal for all three parties and Diop heads to Craven Cottage with the best wishes of the majority of West Ham fans, who liked him as a player but will understand his need for regular starts after falling out of favour with David Moyes.
Have you interviewed him before?
Unfortunately, due to the Covid restrictions Diop was not a player I have spoken to, however, the tiniest of silver lingins to the matches without fans was being able to hear every word the players said on the pitch. Diop was not the most vocal with his teammates but was always happy to take on instructions, with Dawson, Moyes and Kevin Nolan the most likely to be talking to the defender.
Dawson was the leader of the backline at the time and was in constant communication with Diop, who reacted quickly to his partner's instructions. Moyes and Nolan were often talking to Diop throughout the game and it was clear he listened and attempted to put the instructions into action.
With West Ham in the Europa League last season, press were invited to many open training sessions and it was at these I often got to see the players at their most relaxed. Diop was clearly a popular figure in the dressing room and was always smiling and joking around. He speaks multiple languages and within the French speaking contingent at West Ham was often seen joking around. The impression he gave was a happy man who will be a boost not just on the pitch but also to the environment around Fulham.
What do you think his, and Fulham’s, targets will be?
First and foremost, Premier League survival. Diop has been involved in a top-four push, a run late into European competition, but also a relegation scrap with West Ham. If Fulham are fighting to consolidate themselves as a Premier League team, this is something Diop has expereince of.
Diop was once quoted as saying he would not consider the approaches of Morocco or Senegal despite his parents' backgrounds and that as a French-born and raised child he would only ever represent them at international level. He was a French youth team international and capped in all age groups up to the U21 setup, but has never made a full international appearance. His ultimate aim will no doubt be to get a cap for his country, but with the strength Didier Deschamps has in that position this may be a level too high for Diop. The benefit for Fulham is he will get a winter break during the World Cup and be fresh for the second half of the season.
Diop's domestic target will be to nail down a starting spot at Fulham, become the fulcrum of the Whites' defence and lead them to another season in the Premier League.
