West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Mark Noble was on the bench against Everton on Saturday due to personal reasons.
There was widespread surprise when the Chilean’s team sheet revealed that Pedro Obiang would start alongside Declan Rice in central midfield.
Pellegrini moved to end the confusion after the game: “Also I think Mark Noble is important for the team and for personal reasons he couldn’t play,” he said at his post match press conference, as per Football London.
OPINION
It was quite the shock to see Obiang preferred to Noble on Saturday, and Pellegrini’s decision looked bizarre after watching the former Sampdoria man’s hapless performance against the Toffees. However, it’s now clear that there was a genuine reason why Noble was sat on the bench. Pellegrini didn’t reveal what the personal reasons were why Noble couldn’t start, rightly so, but it’s a bit strange that he was still able to take his place on the bench. Usually in situations like this the player would be dropped from the match day squad altogether until they’re ready to play. However, Noble was still in the squad. That was a bit odd, but Pellegrini doesn’t have many fit central midfielders so perhaps that’s why Noble felt the need to at least be present in the squad in case something happened to Rice or Obiang. Hopefully Noble resolves his personal issues in time to play in the Hammers’ next game.
