Dinos Mavropanos to West Ham United: a marriage made in heaven!

By CHRISTOS SOTIRAKOPOULOS

The transfer of Dinos Mavropanos to West Ham was officially completed with the Greek central defender returning to England, nearly 1000 days after his exit from Arsenal and this return justifies his effort in the best possible way.

Let's not forget something basic. How Mavropanos at the tender age of 18, in PAS Ioannina a town in the northwest of Greece became an Arsenal player after Arsene Wenger’s eye found this gem out of nowhere! He became only the second  Greek to wear their shirt, after Stathis Tavlaridis and before the third one who was Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

He didn't get many chances, making just eight appearances for the Gunners, with his debut in a 2-1 defeat from Manchester United at Old Trafford in April 2018, but whatever happens, he holds and will forever hold a very important record: he is the last  footballer to debutise for Arsenal under Arsene Wenger. The number 200 and out! But at just 19 years old, Dinos Mavropanos was not yet that ready for Premier League.

Germany's perspective was exactly what was needed and the Greek international managed to prove it in three years. He stood out in Stuttgart, connected with the club's crowd, scored some excellent and memorable goals, even with individual efforts, and was a huge contributor to last year's Bundesliga stay alongside his captain Endo the latter signing for Liverpool recently!

Mavropanos is a regular in the Greek national team who is trying under the guidance of ex Chelsea and Spurs star Gustavo Poget to qualify for EURO 2024 and he has already raised his "stocks" so  David Moyes' West Ham knew all about him. The Scotsman knew him , and apparently he was following his development last season as well.

So the holders of the Europa Conference League decided to make him their own, spending almost 19 million pounds, in order to convince the Germans to say "yes". At the same time, Mavropanos wanted to return to England, three years later, because he  thinks he has unfinished business!

Fitter than ever, with a highly-worked body, with a lot of good  performances under his belt and in a high mood he is eager to be a key member of the West Ham XI.

Dinos is very fast and will prove  himself in the Premier League, while he is also a central defender who can provide solutions in terms of the circulation of the ball, having good build up play and composure required in these cases.

In this discussion, let's put his age into the conversation, combined with his will to prove things. Because as oxymoronic as it sounds, Dinos is the smallest solar footballer in the center of West Ham's defence. The 27-year-old Agger has passed him for two years, Kerr for one, Zouma has "stepped" on his 28 years and Ogbonna, who Moyes used to hold on for victory against Chelsea after Agger was sent off, is now 35. Everything plays its part and the enthusiasm of Mavropanos too.

Finally, if we consider that he will start flanking the Moroccan stopper, Agger who scored his team's first home goal for this year, the Greek  defender’s ability in the high game will count a lot. Both in the defensive phase, where Mavropanos "dominates", but also offensively. All the more so since the corner kicks  are being carried out by Ward Prowse, who registered two assists on his Hammers debut, becoming the first player in their history to do so on his first home Premier League appearance .

Mavropanos scored twice last year in 28 league matches, he had a crucial goal in the play-off against Hamburg, while his individual record in one season is the four goals in the 2021-22 season.

Dinos Mavropanos was completely vindicated. He has worked hard,  and he is  returning to the best league in the world. He will help West Ham a lot, with his size, strength and (possibly)  goals, West Ham will  help him as well to upgrade! Dinos  journey begins in Brighton, in a difficult test, which throws him directly in the mix.

Welcome back to the Premier League Mavropanos….this marriage I definitely say that is made in heaven and for him and for the hammers….