OPINION
The tussle for the right-back spot at West Ham United is not an intense battle to say the least, but Ryan Fredericks will no doubt be wanting to prove himself after a few poor displays this season.
Pablo Zabaleta, at the age of 34-years-old, has done admirably well in the position, especially when Fredericks was injured for a couple of months at the end of last year.
However, there is only so long that the mainstay will be able to go on for, and that includes Monday’s clash against Chelsea. Football London journalist Sam Inkersole relayed on his personal Twitter account that Fredericks will return for the match, and he no doubt deserves to be recalled back into the team.
Felipe Anderson, Samir Nasri and Ryan Fredericks all fine for Monday night. https://t.co/WeO90hzer0
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) April 5, 2019
Zabaleta – who has 24 appearances this season – was definitely not at the races in the Irons’ 2-0 loss to Everton last Saturday. He is usually assured and composed on the ball, but there were no signs of those thing that evening.
This why he is likely to be quaking in his boots if his teammate earns his much deserved recall to the starting XI – he no doubt recognises that his previous display just was not good enough, and that Fredericks will make the most of the opportunity.
He is just the player to deal with Chelsea’s electric attack at the moment, as Zabaleta would no doubt have rings rung round him with the way that they are performing.
That being said, this is the perfect chance for Fredericks to prove to Pellegrini that he is the ideal candidate for the right-back spot compared to his teammate. If he can have a good game against Chelsea – should he be started – then we will be seeing a lot more of him in the remainder of this campaign.
Either way, Zabaleta will be sweating if Fredericks is given the nod ahead of him.
