OPINION
After seeing Joe Hart fail to hit the heights expected between the sticks while on loan last season, West Ham decided to make a safe bet with the signing of Lukasz Fabianski this summer – but they have made a blunder not snapping up another shot stopper.
The former Swansea man has taken a firm grasp on the shot stopper’s role in the starting XI, ahead of Spanish keeper Adrian, and with the long serving figure’s contract set to expire at the end of the current season, there is little chance of seeing him commit to another.
It means that while the Irons have the experienced Polish star as their first choice, they will be lacking in quality back up – which would be why they were reportedly eyeing up a deal for Fulham’s 26-year-old stopper Marcus Bettinelli this summer.
The Sun claim that the Hammers were summertime suitors for the 6’3″ giant (source: Transfermarkt), who, despite his Italian sounding surname, is an England under-21 international.
He had started the campaign out of the first team setup at Craven Cottage and that was part of the reason an exit was being touted, but having broken into the senior side once again, he is the talk of the town, being handed a call up to the senior England squad, with the Sun stating he is on course to be handed a new contract by Fulham.
West Ham must be kicking themselves in hindsight; here they had a talented English goalkeeper, frustrated with his playing time and heading towards the final year of his contract.
They are right to be frustrated, for having been indecisive over a move, they look to have missed out entirely on snapping up someone who could well have an international future – it is a blunder, and leaves the club facing a need to sign a new shot stopper as a matter of urgency come January.