West Ham: 'Perfect timing' for £30m star to make return at London Stadium

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By Jake Sanders

Published Oct 28, 2022

West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd making his return in the coming weeks would be "perfect timing" for the World Cup.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United looks on prior to the UEFA Europa Conference League group B match between West Ham United and RSC Anderlecht at London Stadium on October 13, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd making his return is "perfect timing" for the World Cup, according to Guardian journalist Ed Aarons.

The Morocco international still has endured a tough start to his Hammers career and only made his competitive debut in the Europa Conference League game with Silkeborg on Thursday.

What's the latest news involving Aguerd?

Aguerd made the £30m move from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes earlier this summer and would have been hoping to hit the ground running following his switch to the Premier League.

But an ankle injury sustained against Rangers in a friendly match forced the centre-back to miss 18 games in all competitions.

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However, just days after Football.London claimed that West Ham were hoping for him to get him minutes for the U21s next month to improve his fitness levels, he finally returned to action.

Providing Aguerd doesn't suffer any setbacks in the weeks ahead, he should head into Morocco's World Cup opener with some much-needed game-time under his belt.

What did Aarons say about Aguerd?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "He's back, and it's perfect timing.

"Obviously he'll be fresh and hopefully be ready to play and deal with the rigours of the World Cup because it's a really tough group that Morocco have got, they've got Canada and Croatia as well as Belgium.

"I think Canada are going to be pretty good and Croatia are always strong at tournaments as we know. Morocco's defence is strong and having him back will be massive."

When do Morocco get their tournament underway?

Morocco fans will be counting down the days until they participate in just their fifth World Cup, and they get underway with a crunch clash against 2018 finalists Croatia on Monday 21 November in Al Kho.

The African country will be hoping to record their first win at a tournament since they beat Scotland in 1998.

They face an even tougher test against Belgium in Doha four days later before rounding off their group stage campaign with their most winnable fixture against Canada.

Morocco won't be fancied by many to progress to the knockout stages, but the USA are the only side to beat them in 90 minutes in the last three years, so they could prove a surprise package in Qatar.