OPINION
West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena will be an unsung hero this season as his no-nonsense style of defending will prove to be a blessing but divide opinion.
The 6ft 2in tall centre-back (Source: Transfermarkt), who arrived at the London Stadium, in the summer from Brazilian club Corinthians has put in some decent performances this season.
Balbuena had a nightmare against Liverpool during the opening weekend of the Premier League but in the five league games since, the defender has been a rock at the back and has really aided his sides cause.
Last season, and the start of the current campaign, the Hammers were shipping goals and causing their own problems at the back with several defenders making silly mistakes and taking unnecessary risks.
While ball-playing centre-backs are normally covered in plaudits for their ability to defender as well as set their side on the attack, Balbuena while comfortable enough with the ball at his feet, he always puts defending first.
The 27-year-old has been regularly seen to hoof the ball clearly in his appearances this season and this type of stance is what is needed to help the Hammers stop needlessly conceding.
It may not be glamorous or prove popular with Hammers supporters who like to see their side play beautiful football but he is doing the dirty work that some of his teammates won’t and if he didn’t do it, then the Hammers would be continuing to concede avoidable goals.
If there was any doubt of how important Balubena is to Manuel Pellegrini side’s cause then the latest stats regarding clearances should scream his importance.
According to the official Premier League site the 27-year-old has already made 48 clearances this season, the second most in the division, and this shows how regularly he is getting the ball out of the danger zone for his side.
This stat screams his importance beyond a shadow of a doubt as none of his teammates rank in the top 20, with his central defensive partner Issa Diop, who tends to pass the ball out, 33rd in the current Premier League chart regarding clearances.
Given that it’s not the most beautiful thing to witness, Balbuena hoofing the ball anywhere he can in order to stop an opponent’s attacks, the defender will not get the praise he deserves and he will end up an unsung hero as a result this season.
