OPINION
Goalkeeper was not a position of strength last season for West Ham United, who saw Joe Hart and Adrian flit in and out of the team throughout the season.
With Hart leaving the club this summer following the conclusion of his season-long loan, it had also looked likely that Adrian was to depart as well, with the Spaniard seemingly unhappy at his lack of game time at the London Stadium.
When the club moved quickly to sign Swansea stopper Lukasz Fabianski, things began to look even worse for Adrian’s prospects of first-team football, and an exit looked an even more likely option.
However, Adrian’s latest comments suggest that the 31-year-old is happy once again in east London.
Speaking to Marca, as translated by Sport Witness, Adrian said: “The club is making new signings that are increasing the level of the squad. The teams halfway down the table are reinforcing very well, but the big ones like City and United are not moving much, although they do not need it either.
“Pellegrini has brought fresh air to the team, and a winning mentality.”
While these comments are obviously a positive thing for the club moving forward, with Adrian seemingly happy at the London Stadium once again, the unfortunate reality is that the Spaniard is setting himself up for another season of disappointment.
Fabianski’s brilliant form for Swansea over the past couple of seasons have cemented him as one of the league’s most consistent stoppers, and that should quite comfortably see him take the number one spot for the coming campaign.
Barring injury, which Fabianski has managed to avoid in recent seasons, Adrian is set to sit on the bench and play in cup games again for the Hammers, a situation which he will surely not be happy with at this stage in his career.
And, with just one year left on his deal, the Spaniard is set to walk away from the club for free next summer anyway, meaning they should really just cash in while they can and bring in a replacement who is more content with a bench role.
It is an awkward situation for both club and player, but a permanent exit this summer is clearly the solution which makes perfect sense for all involved, and that must come to fruition before the window closes in 11 days time.
