U Irons podcast host Sam Delaney has recently discussed the improved form of West Ham United central defender Fabian Balbuena.
The 6ft 2in Paraguayan (1.88m) centre-back has been situated at the London Stadium since the summer of 2018 having signed for the Irons in a £3.6m deal from Corinthians (per Transfermarkt).
In his first season with the club, the 29-year-old defender delivered a solid 6.98/10 average rating over 23 Premier League appearances, however, delivered a much weaker 6.51/10 in 17 league outings last term (per WhoScored).
So far this season, the Paraguayan has made just two appearances in the league but delivered a stellar 7.54/10 average rating.
Speaking before the closure of the transfer window in the latest episode of The Athletic’s U Irons podcast, Delaney heaped praise on Balbuena’s improved form from last season.
He said: “You look at Balbuena in the last two games, a player who was completely written off – we wanted anyone rather than Balbuena playing in central defence.
“Balbuena has been brilliant. If we do sign a centre-back [before the transfer window closes], I can’t see how he’s going to get Balbuena or [Aaron] Cresswell out [of] the team.”
TIF Thoughts…
As can be seen in what the podcast host had to say, he believes that even if the Hammers had signed a central defender before Monday’s deadline, then they may have struggled to displace Balbuena.
One defender that the Irons did attempt to sign before the closure of the window was Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori, however, the player called off a season-long loan move (per Sky Sports).
Have you been impressed with Fabian Balbuena's performances so far this season?
No, he's not been that good
Yes, he's been very good
Last season, Tomori made 15 Premier League appearances for Frank Lampard’s Blues in which he averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per match.
In Balbuena’s two league outings this term, he has averaged 2.5 tackles and 3.5 interceptions, so, it would seem that Delaney had a point by stating that the West Ham defender would be difficult to displace on current form.