Opinion: Lopetegui Needs West Ham Backup to Step Up After Saturday’s Events
West Ham Manager Julen Lopetegui May Turn to Backup Keeper Łukasz Fabiański After Alphonse Areola's Halftime Exit Against Manchester City.
Polish veteran Łukasz Fabiański delivered an impressive performance in his second-half cameo against the reigning Premier League champions, though Erling Haaland’s hat trick in the final 10 minutes sealed a 3-1 defeat.
Alphonse Areola established himself as West Ham’s first-choice goalkeeper under David Moyes last season, but his injury on 31 August marked the fourth time he has been forced off.
This leaves Julen Lopetegui anxiously awaiting news on the Frenchman’s condition.
In Areola’s absence, Fabiański is expected to step in and could even push to keep his place when Areola returns.
Fabiański: A More Reliable Option for West Ham?
Areola’s frequent injuries have become a recurring issue for West Ham, giving Lopetegui a tough decision to make.
Fortunately, the Hammers have sufficient depth to cope, with Fabiański and summer signing Wes Foderingham both fit and available.
Lopetegui should consider starting the Polish goalkeeper in upcoming Premier League fixtures after the international break, and he may find Fabiański’s performance pleasantly surprising.
At 39, Fabiański brings a wealth of Premier League and European experience.
He was West Ham’s undisputed number one for five seasons before losing his spot last year. Although Areola remains the first-choice keeper when fit, his frequent injuries raise concerns about his long-term reliability.
Fabiański’s extensive career includes four years at Arsenal before his time at Swansea City and West Ham.
Few goalkeepers in the Premier League possess as much experience. While he may no longer be in his prime, Fabiański is more than capable of leading West Ham’s defense in the near future.
Lopetegui may feel vindicated in his decision to reject summer approaches for the veteran keeper, as Fabiański proves his enduring value to the team.
