West Ham need to snatch up this top defender to replace Fabian Balbuena
With Fabian Balbuena’s contract running out this month, West Ham would be wise to replace him smartly. This top defender would be a no-brainer for the club.
The 29-year-old center back took to Instagram last month after West Ham United’s final match of the season with a heartfelt message. The post seemed to be a farewell message, and with Fabian Balbuena’s contract expiring, this could be the end to the Paraguayans tenor since 2018. Anything can happen, but with him closer to leaving than staying, an instant replacement is needed.
If the picture at the top didn’t give it away, that replacement is the 23-year-old Serbian, Nikola Milenkovic. Much like Balbuena, Milenkovic’s contract is out later this month, and he has been reported to be looking for a new home. The Hammers have a steady core in their central defense, but both Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna are on the wrong side of the 30’s.
Issa Diop had not looked to be the instant starter that West Ham fans had hoped he would be when he signed in 2018, but he certainly is growing and poised to take over at some point. With the Europa League coming to a TV near you this summer, what a perfect match they could be to start the next generation in the Hammers defense.
West Ham need to snatch up this top defender to replace Fabian Balbuena
Nikola Milenkovic played for Fiorentina 34 times in the Serie A last year. During said time, he scored three goals and notched an assist. He registered roughly 1.4 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 3.6 clearances, and a block per match. In addition to that, he averagedthree aerial duals per game. Nikola also had an 86% pass completion rate while completing over 46 passes per match.
The towering center back comes in at around 6ft 5in (195cm) talland weighs just over 200lbs (92kg). With that stature, he would bring another menacing presence to the opposition’s box during set-pieces. His massive size doesn’t take away from his “on the ball” confidence either, as the CB likes to play for the back, keeping possession at a high.
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West Ham has a good track record of bringing Serie A center backs to the English Premier League. The beforementioned Ogbonna was a nearly known CB that came to East London over five years ago and has rarely disappointed. Although Balbuena wasn’t a week in and out player, replacing him with someone who could be is a no-brainer. If it can happen, it needs to and soon.