West Ham Stepping Up Hunt For Fabianski Replacement
West Ham are already considering a move for Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale this summer as a potential replacement for veteran Lukasz Fabianski. The Hammer is 35-years-old and is approaching the end of his contract and is starting to become prone to injuries.
Fabianski missed the match against Manchester City and was absent for a game against Everton earlier in the season. The goalkeeper has started to pick up little knocks and niggles which have affected his fitness. As Fabianski is in his later years it could be the emphasis behind the Hammers interest elsewhere.
Despite these niggles Fabianski is still a top goalkeeper and will be difficult to replace in terms of quality. West Ham’s interest in Ramsdale has not excited many fans due to the 22-year-old’s record in the Premier League.
West Ham are already preparing themselves for when Fabianski leaves the club and are looking at an uninspiring choice from the bottom of the league.
In Ramsdale’s debut season he suffered relegation with AFC Bournemouth, though he remained in the Premier League after an £18 million move to Sheffield United. The Blades are currently bottom of the league and are likely to face a similar fate to the Cherries. Though there is nothing wrong with signing players from relegated sides, Ramsdale has not been a diamond in the rough.
The Blades keeper has allowed 46 goals past him in only 29 games this term and has only managed two clean sheets in all competitions. This is no better than his previous season with Bournemouth where he conceded 62 goals in 37 games.
The argument can be made that a keeper is only as good as the defenders in front of him. In the case of Ramsdale, this is not true. The 22-year-old is statistically one of the worst keepers in the league. Ramsdale ranks fifteenth for save percentage (worse than Fabianski) despite facing a lot more shots, meaning each shot affects the percentage slightly less.
Next. Coufal continues to be Mr consistent for West Ham. dark
Sheffield United will want to recoup most of the£18 million investment in Ramsdale if they are to sell him, which would make him West Ham’s record transfer fee for a goalkeeper. Hammers fans would much rather see the club move for Manchester United’s spare part Dean Henderson, Burnley’s Nick Pope or SK Slavia Prague Ondřej Kolář.