Cheikhou Kouyate doesn’t feel motivated under Slaven Bilic

Over the weekend, Senegal dispatched Cape Verde 2-0 with ease under the captaincy of West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate. It was obvious to anyone watching that Kouyate was playing with heart and passion. However, that begged the question from West Ham fans; when will we see that same passion in a Hammer uniform? We haven’t seen much of Kouyate since his back heel goal earlier in the summer against NK Domzale. Fans have been speculating whether Kouyate was 100% fit as he’s looked sluggish through the first seven matches. Perhaps it’s something much simpler than that.

After Senegal’s victory Cheikhou took to the media to praise his national team’s manager, Aliou Cissé. Kouyate credited Cissé for making a name for himself and fellow team member Sadio Mané.

Perhaps it was just praise for his current Senegal manager but Kouyate went on to say:

Maybe it’s a poor translation or maybe it’s not. It seems clear that he plays harder for Aliou Cissé than he does for Slaven Bilic. Is Cissé some kind of world class motivator? Or is it more likely that Bilic and Kouyate haven’t really clicked yet? Regardless of the reason this team can’t afford any more discord.