OPINION
West Ham United didn’t produce a good performance in their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Monday night, particularly in a wretched first half.
One man who did excel, though, was centre back Fabian Balbuena. The Paraguay international was making his return from injury, but didn’t look rusty in the slightest and was one of the few shining lights for the Hammers at Stamford Bridge.
He ensured that Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain endured yet another frustrating night, while limiting, as much as he could, the host’s coterie of other world class attackers.
Despite his centre back partner Angelo Ogbonna having his worst game for a month or so, Balbuena still shone alongside him. He looked assured from start to finish and was a reassuring barrier against what at times felt like an insurmountable tide of Chelsea attacks.
The Italian’s struggles on Monday might see Issa Diop restored to the starting line up next time out, reuniting the Frenchman with Balbuena in what was a strong centre back partnership earlier this season.
The 27-year-old produced two wonderful blocks to deny the aforementioned Higuain, while the challenge he made to deny Cesar Azpilicueta was a thing of beauty. This didn’t look like a player coming off of three month’s worth of injury problems. He looked confident and capable at the heart of the West Ham defence.
His showing was about the only positive from what was another dispiriting evening in West London. Balbuena was a rare highlight on Monday for the Hammers, and the club’s fans are surely over the moon with his comeback display.
