West Ham United do not hide the fact their team is filled with internationals. From Taty Castellanos rubbing shoulders with Lionel Messi to Jean-Clair Todibo playing alongside Kylian Mbappe, many Hammers have played with the best of the best at some point in their career.
Konstantinos Mavropanos has been a key player of the West Ham revival in the second half of the season, and the Greek international has been naming some of the best players he has taken to the pitch with. The 28-year-old has played at the likes of Arsenal and VFB Stuttgart, but named someone close to home when talking to club’s official website.
“Mesut Özil. I really liked his quality and everything. What a player he was!
“I will also say Jarrod [Bowen]. I think his qualities and the energy he puts into every training session and game are exceptional.
“Lastly, I will say Sokratis Papastathopoulos. We played again together for Arsenal, and he helped me a lot to understand more of the game and everything outside of it because it was my first year outside of Greece playing in the Premier League.”
Mavropanos’s superb form
Under Nuno Espirioto Santo, Mavropanos has been a key man in the challenge to bring this West Ham team back to life. The 28-year-old has featured 22 times this campaign, but it has been since the turn of the year where the central defender has become an integral cog.
Lining up with either Jean-Clair Todibo, or now Axel Disasi, Mavropanos has been putting in some strong displays. Against Manchester United, he was up for man of the match, whilst he held his own in the win over Burnley and victory past Tottenham Hotspur.
Mavropanos has won 63.9% of his duels this season, and 65.1% of his duels in the air. The defender has intercepted the ball 25 times this campaign, ranking him in the top half of Premier League defenders this season. The Greek intranational has also landed 59 accurate long balls this year, showing he’s not just all about the tackling.
More moments to come for Mavropanos
Mavropanos did not just speak highly of his teammates, but also spoke on some of his favourite moments as a Hammer. From joining after a European trophy win, to winning some big games, the 28-year-old has had a strong time as a member of the Irons.
“I think my first goal for West Ham against Arsenal is one of them, as it was a special night for the Club and for me as well.
“I would also say the game against SC Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League round of 16, when we won 5-0 in March 2024. That was a special night, as was the game against Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals.
“I’ll also say my debut, which was in the 3-1 win against TSC Bačka Topola in September 2023.”
