---
title: "Virals: West Ham confirm double injury blow to defensive stars"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/12/07/virals-west-ham-confirm-double-injury-blow-to-defensive-stars/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-12-07T15:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-12-07T15:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: West Ham confirm double injury blow to defensive stars

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/12/07/trevor-sinclair-labels-current-west-ham-squad-as-the-best-in-epl-era/) have confirmed two cruel injury blows to defensive duo Kurt Zouma and Ben Johnson.

The pair limped off in the [3-2 victory](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XArOb2bz5Q) over Chelsea at the London Stadium and it appears will now face a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Following the season-ending blow to [Angelo Ogbonna](https://readwestham.com/2021/11/24/pundit-tips-west-ham-to-sign-stopgap-in-january-following-injury-blow/), Irons’ boss David Moyes is now down to the bare-bones defensively.

Taking to the [official club website](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/december/07-december/kurt-zouma-and-ben-johnson-injury-update) and Twitter, the Hammers have confirmed the extent of the injuries.

> We can confirm that Kurt Zouma sustained a hamstring tendon injury during Saturday’s win over Chelsea.
>
> Ben Johnson has also started his rehabilitation after suffering a low-grade hamstring strain.
>
> Best of luck with your recoveries, Ben & [@KurtZouma](https://twitter.com/KurtZouma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)! 👊⚒
>
> — West Ham United (@WestHam) [December 7, 2021](https://twitter.com/WestHam/status/1468166917534130176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Depending on the severity and the recovery, West Ham could be without the 27-year-old French international for anything [up to three months](https://www.healthline.com/health/hamstring-tear#:~:text=Most%20hamstring%20tears%20are%20caused,injury%2C%20follow%20your%20doctor's%20guidance.).

Prior to the setback, Zouma had earned an impressive [6.91 average Sofascore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/player/kurt-zouma/139227) in 11 Premier League outings.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Whilst the Irons will undoubtedly miss Johnson, it’s the Frenchman who is the biggest loss here.

Already without Ogbonna, Moyes now only has [Craig Dawson and Issa Diop](https://www.whufc.com/teams/first-team/squad) available as recognised central defenders.

Given the likelihood of a lengthy layoff for Zouma, surely West Ham will now [venture immediately](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/transfer-news/) into the January transfer market.

As well as a move for one of those linked in recent weeks, the Hammers may consider recalling Frederik Alves from a [season-long loan spell](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/august/13-august/frederik-alves-joins-sunderland-loan) at Sunderland.