West Ham United may look to offload Lukasz Fabianski in favour of recruiting younger assets in the near future.
What’s the word?
That is according to former BBC pundit Noel Whelan, who claims that the Hammers will look to younger players to help towards their goal of longevity and stability.
Whelan believes that Manuel Lanzini’s situation has given a major hint as to what West Ham plan to do regarding Fabianski’s position at the club.
Speaking to Football Insider, the 47-year-old said: “I think if the club are looking to get rid of Lanzini to bring in some younger players and trying to bring in longevity and stability – I think West Ham will want fresh blood.
“I know goalkeepers can go on to play into their forties, but the game is becoming more about distribution and being able to have the ball at your feet now.
“He’s done a great job, but they’ll want someone who can go longer for their success now.”
Sign of the times?
The speculation that surrounds 37-year-old Fabianski comes at a time when David Moyes will be counting on his senior players in a time of vulnerability among the squad.
The 57-cap Poland international still finds himself as first choice between the London Stadium sticks, which says a lot about his ability, with former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola still unable to shift him in what is now his second season at the club.
With Fabianski now in the final year of his contract, although there is the option of a further year, it’s a situation that should be sorted sooner, rather than later.
The longer that the Hammers hierarchy hold out, the less likely it will be that the 37-year-old stays at the club, in what will be a sad state of affairs for Moyes.
With the caveat that second-choice keeper Areola has played less games, against weaker opposition thus far, his save percentage of 75% is superior to that of Fabianski’s 69.7% and the Frenchman does also suffer less goals against him on a per 90 basis.
It may be a sign of the times for Fabianski at West Ham, but with his future up in the air, it will not help matters in a time where West Ham need to be united as a group.
