Julen Lopetegui has just made an extremely shocking statement about Danny Ings.
West Ham United head coach Julen Lopetegui addressed the media yesterday in preparation for the upcoming festive fixtures.
Danny Ings became a topic of interest recently, sparking surprise with Julen Lopetegui’s comments about the West Ham striker.
Lopetegui, under significant pressure as West Ham’s head coach, reportedly retains the board’s backing for now.
However, with pivotal matches looming, he faces an uphill battle to secure his position.
Among those hoping for more opportunities in these critical games is Danny Ings.
The 32-year-old forward has struggled this season, often appearing off the pace during his limited appearances.
Many believe he no longer meets the standard required for Premier League football. With that in mind, Lopetegui’s recent remarks about Ings have raised eyebrows.
Ahead of West Ham’s crucial clash with Southampton on Thursday, Lopetegui made some perplexing statements regarding his attacking options.
The match against the Saints is a must-win if West Ham hopes to maintain their push for European qualification.
Speaking to the media, Lopetegui highlighted Ings in his analysis, as reported by WHUFC.com:
“I think we lost a very important player for us for a lot of time, who is Michail Antonio, and it’s true we didn’t have Füllkrug in his best way, and Danny Ings is doing well, so we can use Jarrod Bowen too, so we have different options [up front],” Lopetegui stated.
This assertion has puzzled many fans and pundits. Ings’ performances have been far from “doing well,” and even the striker himself would likely admit that.
Lopetegui’s apparent praise seems inconsistent with his actions, as he has only given Ings 159 Premier League minutes since the striker’s crucial equalizer at Fulham in September.
Furthermore, Lopetegui’s earlier attempts to offload Ings during the summer transfer window suggest a lack of genuine faith in the player.
This inconsistency raises questions: is Lopetegui’s praise of Ings insincere, or does it reflect a lack of awareness about the striker’s form?
The situation suggests it could be a combination of both.
The upcoming Boxing Day match against Southampton—Ings’ former club—may offer clarity.
Whether the striker gets substantial playing time could serve as the ultimate test of Lopetegui’s true opinion of him.
For now, West Ham fans remain unconvinced by the head coach’s remarks and await further signs of whether Ings will feature prominently in the team’s plans moving forward.
