In a bombshell interview following his loan move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Orobah, French defender Kurt Happy Zouma did not hold back his frustrations with West Ham United, claiming that leaving the Premier League club was not only the right decision but a significant step up for his career.
Zouma, who spent three years at West Ham after joining from Chelsea in 2021, expressed that he had become increasingly disillusioned with life at the London club. He cited a lack of support, inconsistent game time, and a deteriorating relationship with the management as key factors that pushed him toward the exit.
“West Ham gave me an opportunity, and for that, I’ll always be grateful,” Zouma said. “But over time, I realized I wasn’t being valued the way I should have been. I was made the captain for a short time, but even that felt more like a public relations stunt than something meaningful. Behind the scenes, it was clear that I wasn’t in the club’s long-term plans, and that’s when I knew I had to leave.”
West Ham Was Holding Me Back
Zouma’s frustrations with West Ham came to a head after the 2023-2024 season, where, despite being named captain for a brief period following Declan Rice’s departure, he found himself in a precarious position. His leadership role was questioned by some sections of the media, and rumors swirled that West Ham was eager to offload him despite having a year left on his contract.
“The decision to make me captain seemed like a move made out of necessity rather than belief in my leadership abilities,” Zouma explained. “I wasn’t given the respect or freedom that a captain deserves. They brought in other players, and it became clear they didn’t trust me to lead the squad long-term. That’s when I knew it was time for something better.”
West Ham’s indecisiveness regarding Zouma’s future reached its peak when he was placed on the transfer list in June 2024, despite having just helped the club to a solid season in the Premier League and being an integral part of their UEFA Europa Conference League victory in 2023. Things took a dramatic turn when a proposed move to UAE club Shabab Al-Ahli collapsed after Zouma reportedly failed a medical. This left the defender in limbo at West Ham, further fueling his frustrations.
“The way they handled that situation was just embarrassing. They were ready to ship me off at the first opportunity without even thinking about what I had contributed to the team. After that, I realized West Ham was holding me back. They were stuck in the past, and I wanted to move forward.”
More Game Time, More Freedom, and More Respect at Al-Orobah
When Al-Orobah came calling, Zouma jumped at the chance to leave behind what he saw as a toxic atmosphere at West Ham. The move to the Saudi Pro League, he says, has given him a renewed sense of freedom and respect, both on and off the pitch.
“Coming to Al-Orobah was the best decision I could have made. I’m finally playing football in an environment where I’m trusted, appreciated, and given the freedom to play the way I want,” Zouma said. “I’m getting more game time, more responsibility, and frankly, more financial security. West Ham wasn’t willing to offer me any of those things anymore.”
Zouma also highlighted the difference in fan support between the two clubs. At Al-Orobah, he says, the passion of the supporters has been overwhelming, and he feels a deeper connection to the fans than he ever did at West Ham.
“The fans here are incredible. They’ve embraced me with open arms, and I can feel the love every time I step onto the pitch. That’s something I didn’t always feel at West Ham. There, I was often criticized and scapegoated for things beyond my control. At Al-Orobah, I feel like I’m part of something bigger, and it’s really refreshing.”
West Ham Is Stagnant, I’m Moving Forward
In a final parting shot at his former club, Zouma declared that his move to Al-Orobah represents a step forward in his career, while West Ham is stuck in a state of stagnation.
“West Ham is a club with a lot of history, but they aren’t moving forward. They’re content with where they are, but I’m not. I want to grow, to compete, to be the best version of myself, and I couldn’t do that while I was there. Now, I’m at a club where I have the freedom to do all that and more.”
Kurt Zouma’s explosive comments have sent shockwaves through both West Ham and the wider football community, with fans and pundits alike questioning whether the Premier League club mishandled one of their key players. As Zouma settles into life at Al-Orobah, one thing is clear: he’s looking ahead to bigger and better things, while West Ham is left wondering what went wrong.
