OPINION
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian was a toxic presence in his 2017/18 season as he made no attempt to hide his frustration over being behind Joe Hart in the pecking order.
The 6ft 2in shot-stopper (Source: Transfermarkt) looked miserable when rooted to the bench last season and his quotes in the press since show that he was no doubted contributing to the negative atmosphere in the dressing room.
The mood at the London Stadium surrounding the Hammers squad appeared to be very low in the second-half of the 2017/18 campaign as they struggled to get results and faced the real threat of relegation.
Normally this should see players band together in order to ensure they stay in the Premier League but it appeared that Adrian was only concerned about himself.
The Sun reported in April when the season was still underway that the Spanish goalkeeper had grown so unhappy at the club under David Moyes that he was planning how to force his exit in the summer.
Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo then reported in May that Adrian had made it crystal clear that if Moyes stayed at the club, he was packing his bags.
This would be an understandable stance if the goalkeeper had impressed in the 22 appearances he made last season but he was equally as unreliable as Hart between the sticks.
Adrian’s arrogantly toxic attitude didn’t end when the season concluded nor when Moyes departed as during in an interview with Marca in May he claimed he had nothing to prove and implied that the club should have already moved to talk him to secure his future after Manuel Pellegrini arrived.
“I have one more year of contract left,” Adrian said in an interview with Marca.
“There have been quite a few movements since we are on vacation, they are refreshing the team that perhaps is what was good for us.
“Now to see Pellegrini’s opinion of me, we have to sit down and arrive at the best decision for everyone.
“Let’s see if they trust me and give me the opportunity to continue playing, that Pellegrini is clear and sincere.
“I’ve been there for five seasons, I do not have to prove to anyone the level I have. The club at the moment have not told me anything. ”
However Pellegrini wanted to keep Adrian despite this clear red flag regarding his attitude as Claret & Hugh stated in July that the manager had told him to stay and fight for his place as he would not automatically choose Lukasz Fabianski.
Adrian has yet to feature this season for the Hammers but has a golden chance to stake his claim for a regular starting place as Claret & Hugh reported that the keeper is expected to start against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Given that Fabianski has conceded nine goals in three games then a tremendous display even against League One opposition would give Pellegrini reason to consider his options between the sticks.
If Adrian fails to become the No.1 keeper at the Hammers shortly then it’s likely based on his past behaviour that he will throw his toys out of the pram but as for now he has chance to get exactly what he wants by doing well on Tuesday night.
