West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos wants to help his team get back on track this weekend after a humbling defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend. 

The Greece International started in a back three alongside Jean Clair Todibo and Maximillian Kilman at City Ground and it didn’t go at all to plan for Julen Lopetegui.  Predominantly a centre-back, competition for places and tweaks to the defensive system have showcased Mavropanos’ versatility in recent weeks, with the 26-year-old having been deployed as part of a back three and even at right-back.

Mavropanos said: “To be honest, I was a bit surprised to come on and fill in at right-back [against Brentford, at the end of September],” confirmed Mavropanos. “I thought I played well. I used to play this position sometimes in Germany [with Stuttgart], because of the way we were defending with three defenders.

“Of course, for me, I think it’s a little more difficult because I think I am a player who is better to be closer to our own box, but if the manager asks me to play in a different position, whatever it might be, then I will do it and give everything to help the team.”

Mavropanos was also keen to praise his competition in the squad, new arrivals Todibo and Kilman have both settled in at the club and have become fans favourites, despite the clubs frailties in the defensive third. Dinos said: “Sometimes it can take a bit more time to settle with new centre-backs, but I think Max [Kilman] and JC [Todibo] have so much quality, and we’ve quickly adjusted to working together. We’ve got a lot of quality at the back at the moment, so we just need to continue to work hard and improve in our defence.”

Mavropanos has been at the club over a year now and is enjoying his life in East London after signing from Stuttgart in August 2023.

“I’ve felt settled at the Club from the moment I arrived, and it has felt as if I’ve been here for a longer time because of the welcome I had. I’ve always arrived to training with a smile on my face and ready to be part of this team. I think with my performances I always try to do my best and get a position in the starting XI. I had a good first season, but I’ve got much more to give to this Club.”

Despite a pretty strong first season where the club finished 9th place and reached the Europa League quarter-finals, Mavropanos’ second season at the club has got off to a very poor start. “Obviously we’ve not had the start to the season that we wanted, and the defeat at Nottingham Forest was disappointing, so we want to make sure we respond and get three points against Everton before the international break,” Mavropanos confirmed.

“Generally, I think it’s been exciting [so far this season] from the beginning because of our new manager, philosophy and tactics. We’ve learned a lot of new things and have a new game style, and we’re always trying to make an improvement. I think it’s been good until now and we can be even better.

“One of the best things is to come to training and work in an environment like we have here because it makes you feel part of a family. There’s a lot of competition for places, but it is something we all relish as players, and we’re all excited for what’s to come.”

However, Mavropanos may not get the chance to look forward to the future with Lopetegui. According to a lot of sources, the Spaniards position as West Ham boss could be under threat if they lose to Everton on Saturday.