Hawa Cissoko: West Ham’s standout defender

Since coming back into the West Ham defence, they have stopped leaking goals, and receiving a crucial clean sheet against Arsenal last weekend.

It hasn’t gone hiding that the main issue for the Hammers this season was their defending, conceding 22 in 13 league games.

The defender isn’t just known for causing havoc for attackers, she also can cause havoc for defenders with her powerful runs through the midfield. Which is what she did to score her second of the season against Tottenham back in December.

The pace she brings to the Hammers back line allows them to occasionally make mistakes, but allows Cissoko to get back to block the second phase of the attack.

With the Hammers makeshift back line this season, mistakes have happened, but with her pace and experience, she has stopped them mistakes leading to goals.

The French international has shown her class, which has allowed her to play 30 games for her national team starting with under 20's to first team. She was also picked for France in the recent Euros.

One of the main issues with the 25-year-old is the amount of yellow/ red cards she picks up. Her most recent red card came against West Ham’s 2-1 win against Aston Villa back in October.

Due to her passion and willing to put her body on the line it does cause these results to happen. But for the Irons she’s so crucial that they need her to stop getting these reds that cause a three game ban often.

If Cissoko keeps a level head between now and the end of the season, West Ham could be in for a perfect end.

Cissoko and West Ham’s next match will be against Chelsea on Thursday 9th February for the Semi Finals on the Continental League Cup.