Ryan Fredericks will be West Ham’s first choice right back next season, according to reliable source ExWHUemployee.
The 26-year-old made 18 appearances for the Hammers last season, but is expected to take a more regular place in the starting 11 next term, with Pablo Zabaleta, who himself made 28 appearances, now aged 34.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, when asked if the £40,000-a-week defender [Spotrac] would be Manuel Pellegrini’s preferred option, Ex said: “Yes, I would think so”.
OPINION
This makes perfect sense to be fair. Pablo Zabaleta has been one of the finest right-backs the Premier League has ever seen, but he is approaching the end of his career now, and the Hammers must be looking to the future. Fredericks is no spring chicken at 26, but he is at the peak of his powers and could still have another six or seven years at the very top left in him. He proved last season that he was more than capable of stepping in for the Argentine, and had it not been for an injury that hampered him from November through to January, he may well have made that first team position his own a lot sooner. 2.5 tackles per match, as well as 2.6 clearances [Whoscored], show a very assured defender, and you would expect him to step up for the Irons with ease next term.
