What’s Going On With West Ham’s Paraguayan Defender
Fabian Balbuena must be feeling disappointed to find himself out in the cold after Issa Diop was chosen ahead of him to replace the injured Angelo Ogbonna. The West Ham defender was part of a solid partnership with the Italian at the start of the season, but after being rested, he has found it hard to get back into the team.
Though Balbuena’s absence from the team is not entirely his fault, it can be seen as a punishment for his inability to recover fully during the current fixture congestion. The main reason that Balbuena has not been in the team has been the fantastic form of his replacement, Craig Dawson. The Englishman stepped into the Paraguayan’s spot and has been fantastic in the backline.
Balbuena has suffered a couple of minor injuries that have prevented him from being a starter for Moyes again, proved by Diop’s inclusion. The French defender, like Dawson, has stepped up when called into the team and has looked like his old self for the last couple of matches.
Fabian Balbuena has been a missing figure on the pitch for West Ham for the last few months for a couple of reasons.
Rumours were linking Balbuena with a move away from West Ham during the January transfer window. SS. Lazio looked like the most likely destination for the 29-year-old. Balbuena only cost the Hammers £6.5 million when he joined from Corinthians. It would be likely that the club would cash in on the player who only has a few months left on his contract.
Balbuena, however, has put these rumours to bed. The defender has said that he has never spoken to the Serie A side and is hopeful of a new contract at West Ham.
"“I never received anything from Lazio, I only read the rumours on social media. Certainly, in the coming days we will sit down with the management to talk about it, West Ham have an option to renew.”Fabian Balbuena told La Lazio Siamo Noi"
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The club have the option to extend his deal by a year or lose him for nothing at the end of the season. Balbuena has been a good player when called upon and deserves another year at least. It would be worth extending his contract just to sell the player as he still has value to his name.