OPINION
West Ham supporters should be disappointed after a report suggesting that the Hammers’ hopes of signing Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero have been dealt a blow.
The Evening Standard had reported that West Ham were considering making a move for Caballero, as Manuel Pellegrini searches for a new goalkeeper to replace Adrian, who is set leave the London Stadium at the end of his contract, according to the Football Insider.
However, it has now emerged in a report from reliable Hammers news site Claret and Hugh, that Chelsea are thought to have activated an option on Caballero’s contract to extend the Argentine’s stay at Stamford Bridge for another season.
That will leave West Ham still searching for a replacement for out of contract back up goalkeeper Adrian, who has made 125 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, after joining the club from Spanish side Real Betis in the summer of 2013.
Pellegrini would have seen Caballero as a good option to replace Adrian, having previously worked with the Argentine during his spell in charge of Manchester City, after bringing the 37-year-old keeper to the Premier League from Malaga in the summer of 2014.
The Argentine has spent the last five seasons in the Premier League providing able back up to the first choice goalkeepers at both Manchester City and Chelsea, and while the 37-year-old has only made 28 appearances in his time in the English top flight, he has managed to record ten clean sheets in those matches [PremierLeague.com].
Caballero’s best moments in England have predominantly come in the domestic cup competitions, with the Argentine helping Manchester City to win the League Cup in 2016, making three crucial saves in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against Liverpool.
This season Caballero has made ten appearances in all competitions for Chelsea in Maurizio Sarri’s first season in charge, and he now appears to have performed well enough in those appearances, to have earned an extension to his deal with the club.
West Ham will be hoping to sign someone with similar experience to the Caballero this summer, to provide competition and cover for first choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski next season.
