OPINION
No West Ham United player could have been faulted for the way they unravelled Manchester United on Saturday – and there is one player in particular who deserves all of the praise that he can get.
That player is centre-back Fabian Balbuena, who silenced the Red Devils last weekend.
He had the likes of Romelu Lukaku in his back pocket for the majority of the match, but it was his teammates who received all of the plaudits for their displays.
Since Balbuena arrived at the club, he has steadied the back four despite the odd mistake, and the Irons would be nowhere near as strong as they are now without him in the side.
The 27-year-old is arguably one of the Hammers’ most underrated players and he deserves to be recognised more for the effort he puts in every week.
If the result against United has told us anything, then it is that Balbuena has made himself undroppable.
How could Manuel Pellegrini possibly consider axing the 6ft 2in [Transfermarkt] enforcer now? He would most likely feel the wrath of the West Ham faithful if he did.
The Paraguayan has formed a formidable partnership with Issa Diop in the centre of the defence, but for some reason, it is Diop who has been raved about.
Balbuena will surely be the first name on Pellegrini’s teamsheet from here on out, and it comes as no surprise that he has been one of the only players to have started every Premier League game so far this season.
Even though Balbuena’s teammates have been heavily praised, supporters should not let that distract them from how much of an impact he has made on the team.
His place in the first team does not look like it will be usurped any time soon – and his performance against United has only gone to reinforce that.
