OPINION
West Ham United received a big blow on Monday as the Evening Standard reported that right back Ryan Fredericks was out injured for three months with a shin injury.
The former Fulham man has lost his starting place to veteran Pablo Zabaleta in recent months, but the Hammers are now left with a significant lack of depth on the right hand side of the defence.
Perhaps, then, the club should consider joining Celtic’s reported hunt for Swansea City right back Connor Roberts. The Express claimed on Saturday that the Scottish giants were looking to bring Roberts in as possible competition for Mikael Lustig.
West Ham should be doing the same with their veteran right back. Zabaleta has been excellent this season, but Roberts would be a nice addition as a means of providing the Argentine with some proper competition.
Roberts has impressed in the Championship for Graham Potter’s side this term, and his current contract is set to run out in the summer.
That means he would be available for a minimal fee in January, and would be able to take Fredericks spot behind Zabaleta.
There’s no doubt that if the Hammers entered the race for Roberts that he would join them over Celtic. The lure of the Premier League and the finances on offer at the London Stadium would be too much for Brendan Rodgers’ team to overcome.
Even if Fredericks returns to action in February or March, that shouldn’t dissuade West Ham from making a move for Roberts.
The 26-year-old has failed to impress since joining Manuel Pellegrini’s team, and the Chilean would be wise to look at Roberts as a long term solution at the position.
Right back is now an area of need for West Ham, and the Chilean should prepare a January bid for the up and coming Wales international.
