Blind Hammer analyses Cheikhou Kouyate’s World Cup.
Cheikhou Kouyate’s World Cup has not gone to plan. During Senegal’s Qualification he was ever present. He had earnt a promotion to Captain. The 2018 World Cup was envisaged as his proudest moment, the pinnacle of his football achievements.
As Captain he faced the media to stress how important the competition was.
“”The World Cup is a competition that takes place every four years and it is not given to everyone to take part, we have the chance now to participate and we will prepare well to please the Senegalese people. We want to write our own story.”
Kouyate’s status as Captain and his evident poise in front of the media has not, however, persuaded Senegalese Manager, Aliou Cisse, that he merited a start either against Poland or Japan. Kouyate is not reported as suffering from or carrying any injury.
Kouyate appeared only as a late substitute, 7 minutes from time, to help Senegal resist late pressure in their victory against Poland. After initially struggling, manhandling a Polish attacker, Kouyate made an important tackle to help Senegal preserve their lead.
This did not persuade Cisse to start Kouyate against Japan. Kouyate was however, introduced after 67 minutes to help counter act Japan’s midfield dominance. He could not, though, prevent what was, in Senegalese eyes, a disappointing draw.
Kouyate’s introduction into midfield was interesting. It was confidently predicted before the World Cup that he would, unlike his role at West Ham, play a key role in the centre of the Senegal Defence. This was in no small part due to Aliou Cisse’s desire to build a midfield around the undoubted talents of Everton’s Idrissa Gueye. Gueye had achieved outstanding performance ratings in what was an awkward season for Everton.
Yet Aliou Cisse has, so far, resisted any opportunity to deploy Kouyate in this alternative defensive role, preferring the partnership of Salif Sane and Kalidou Koulibaly.
This presents a worry for West Ham. If Kouyate is not performing at a sufficient level to force his way into the Senegal team, it becomes questionable as to whether he still has the capabilities to dominate Premiership Midfield battels in the way he once did.
There may be a ray of light for Kouyate though.
Aliou Cisse has a ruthless streak. As well as dropping his captain for the first 2 games he took no prisoners after Senegal’s disappointing draw against Japan. He expressed dissatisfaction that Senegal had twice conceding an equaliser. He had no compunction in pointing the finger of blame at Kalidou Koulibaly and Salif Sane. He stressed the need for rigour and concentration.
The extent to which Kouyate has fallen out of favour will be illuminated by Cisse’s selections for their final game against Colombia. Cisse lambasting of his team’s defensive performance seems to suggest that there is at least a possibility of a recall for Kouyate. There may just be a chance that he can make a belated contribution to a Senegal cause which may finally kick start his World Cup. This ironically may come most significantly in a knock out game against England. If Kouyate can reclaim his place and confidence we may just have the player back we once admired. At worse a positive World Cup legacy will enhance any incoming Transfer fee. West Ham supporters should be keeping a keen eye on the performances of Senegal and Kouyate in particular.
COYI
David Griffith