Should Łukasz Fabiański Still Be West Ham’s Number One?

As Łukasz Fabiański enters the final few months of his West Ham contract, will the Polish International be offered an extension on his current deal or will the Hammers look for a new number one?

After recently picking up a training injury prior to the Hammers game against Manchester City, David Moyes was forced to play second choice keeper Darren Randolph. With third-choice goalkeeper David Martin set to leave this summer upon expiry of his contract, the club could look to strengthen between the sticks this summer.

Signed by Manuel Pellegrini back in 2018 for just over seven million pounds from Swansea City, Fabianski has made 89 appearances in claret and blue and has played almost 300 Premier League matches, but as he approaches his 36th birthday his time as number one could be running out.

Prior to the signing of the Polish goalkeeper, West Ham relied on Adrian who was very much a fan favourite, with most remembering the Spaniard throwing off his gloves and scoring the winning penalty against Everton in the FA Cup fourth round.

After a great first season, Fabianski was won Hammer of the Year, with many West Ham fans considering the Pole as one of the League’s best goalkeepers.

Likeable as he was Adrian was sometimes unpredictable and slightly erratic, often rushing off his line too quickly. The now Liverpool goalkeeper is still more than partial to a mistake despite being a good shot-stopper.

The signing of Fabianski was more than just signing a good goalkeeper, the Hammers gained an experienced professional who had undoubtedly been a standout player in a Swansea side that flirted with relegation for several seasons before eventually making the drop.

Sadly in September 2019 just several games into the new season Fabianski would suffer a serious hip injury keeping him out for three months. Shortly after returning to the side, Fabianski would once again suffer a very similar injury as the Hammers slipped down the table due to a catalogue of horrific errors from Fabianski replacement Roberto.

With the Polish international turning 36, next month and Randolph realistically not good enough to be a long term solution the club have to sign a new shot-stopper this summer, before Fabianski’s inevitable decline.

Recently West Ham have found themselves linked with two English keepers in Dean Henderson and Nick Pope, but with both Burnley and Manchester United looking for almost £40 million it’s unlikely either will be signed on what is expected to be a relatively small transfer budget.

While Sheffield United look set on a return to the Championship, the Yorkshire club does have a keeper who could be ideal replacements for the ageing Fabianski. 22-year-old Aaron Ramsdale was resigned by the Blades last summer for £18million leaving relegated Bournemouth and has recently been extremely impressive between the sticks despite the club’s poor performances.

Another goalkeeper whose performances have caught the eye of fans this season is Fulham’s Alphonse Areola who is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. London rivals Fulham do have an option to buy the 28-year-old however if the West London club is relegated the former Real Madrid keeper could possibly be persuaded to switch to the east side of London.

Fabianski is in his third season with the Irons now, but recently the former Arsenal man has shown signs of his former self known as flappy-handski. Despite West Ham’s impressive form Fabianski has failed to collect crosses in recent games at vital moments while his distribution has also been noticeably poor with the Polish international seemingly panicky with the ball at his feet.

As David Moyes looks to build a young and hungry team it’s important his desire to upgrade his outfield players doesn’t overshadow the need for a new goalkeeper.