OPINION
West Ham United made a surprise move to sign experienced free agent goalkeeper Roberto this week, with his compatriot Adrian seemingly poised to leave on a free this summer.
With the 33-year-old signed, the Hammers must ensure they secure a loan spell away from the club for young shot-stopper Nathan Trott. He needs to get first team football next season so that he can take the next step in his development.
The 20-year-old is highly rated at Rush Green, and signed a long-term contract extension in March. By all accounts he is the future of the goalkeeper position at the club, but he is not going to be playing in a claret and blue shirt any time soon.
However, he is undoubtedly good enough to be starting for a League One or Championship team next term. That’s where the focus should be for Manuel Pellegrini. He must pick a good environment where the ‘keeper can develop.
The Chilean has a potential first team star on his hands here, a player who can eventually succeed Hammer of the Year Lukasz Fabianski. But Roberto’s arrival seemed to signal that Trott won’t be getting an opportunity at the London Stadium next campaign.
Therefore it is imperative that he gets experience of first team football somewhere. The West Ham goal is well tended to with the aforementioned phenomenal Pole, so while Fabianski is at the peak of his powers the club must concentrate on cultivating his eventual successor.
Trott is that man, and he needs to play. Fabianski is the number one, Roberto is in as his back up; now the youngster needs to get a taste of first team football.
