OPINION
Goalkeepers are supposed to be the loneliest men in football, but at West Ham United there could be two shot-stoppers keeping each other company for the next few years.
Who are they? Well, it’s not summer signings Roberto and David Martin, that’s for sure. No, current number one Lukasz Fabianski and young ‘keeper Nathan Trott should be manning the sticks together for years to come.
Reliable Hammers news source Claret & Hugh reported on Wednesday that the club have inserted a one year option into Fabianski’s contract which could see the Poland international extend his stay in east London beyond its current expiration in June 2021.
He will be 36 years of age at that time, but with goalkeepers that is less of an issue than with outfield players. Plus, the report states that the one-year option gives Trott time to develop firstly as the club’s number two and then number one once Fabianski is ready to move aside.
To have two ‘keepers who are set to be a part of the squad for several years to come is an incredible luxury for West Ham. Plus, if Trott develops as expected then the Hammers could be sorted between the sticks for the foreseeable future.
These two really could be a formidable one-two punch at the London Stadium. We all know how good Fabianski is, with his Hammer of the Year award last term evidence of that.
He has been his usual solid self so far this season, as well. As per WhoScored.com, the 34-year-old is currently averaging 2.9 saves per game, with 1.6 of them coming from inside the penalty area. His average WhoScored rating per game of 6.77 is about as good as you could expect for a ‘keeper who’s playing behind a pretty solid defence.
Then there’s Trott. He’s on loan at League One side AFC Wimbledon this campaign, where he has eight of the last nine games in the league, establishing himself as the Dons’ first choice stopper [Source: Transfermarkt]. He’s only had one clean sheet thus far, but he’s gaining valuable first team experience.
With Trott waiting in the wings behind a top class ‘keeper in Fabianski, West Ham look set to be spoilt between the sticks for years to come.