What Kurt Zouma did to West Ham United fans during a very special moment at the London Stadium proved one thing.
West Ham captain Kurt Zouma has been the topic of much debate and derision of late.
Justifiably so for his performances and his perceived lack of leadership.
Zouma has failed on many levels since replacing Declan Rice as skipper.
His lack of communication with fans has not gone down well.
Many supporters feel Zouma has not shown enough leadership on or off the pitch.
Especially as he has been conspicuous by his silence after a number of heavy West Ham defeats.
There is no excusing that no matter how great he might be in the dressing room.
Zouma leadership and future questioned
Zouma’s credibility as captain has not been the only thing in question, though.
His place in the team – and even his future at the club – is under scrutiny going into the summer.
Not least because of longstanding knee issues which limit his availability for games close together.
With the manager who signed him leaving and Julen Lopetegui already being linked with the likes of Max Kilman and Zeno Debast, the writing may be on the wall for Zouma.
Certainly as a West Ham starter.
But there was an interesting moment in the Hammers 3-1 win over Luton involving the skipper.
What Zouma did to West Ham fans during a special moment proved one thing.
What Zouma did to fans proved one thing
George Earthy provided a wonderful memory to mark David Moyes’ leaving do.
The youngster suffered a terrible concussion just moments into his Premier League debut against Fulham.
But he made certain his next experience at the London Stadium was a positive one.
Boyhood Hammer Earthy turned the ball home after magnificent work from Mohammed Kudus to score his first ever senior goal.
West Ham fans love nothing more than seeing one of their own come through and do well in the first team.
So the London Stadium erupted when Earthy made it 3-1.
He toasted the goal by performing Kudus’ trademark celebration with the man himself in West Ham’s nosiest corner of the ground.
Zouma joined in by imitating that he was taking a picture of the celebration.
Passionate outpouring to fans done with meaning
Then he leaned over the advertising hoardings and screamed at various sections of the supporters while bearing his chest, shouting ‘come on’ and waving his arms up.
This was no exercise in faux cajoling. Zouma was wearing a serious stare and the message seemed very clear, he does care about West Ham and he wanted to make sure everyone knew it.
Whether that means he has a future here beyond this season remains to be seen.
But perhaps it is worth Lopetegui keeping him around as a squad player at the very least.
On his day, when fit and adequately rested, Zouma is West Ham’s best defender.
There will be no European football for the Hammers next season.
So there will be no Thursday-Sunday matches for Zouma and his knees to contend with.
That could be a huge factor.
Although if West Ham want to recoup any money for their £29.5m signing then this summer is likely their last chance.
