Some West Ham supporters have been reacting on social media after the official club Twitter account shared that Fabian Balbuena had been included in Paraguay’s squad for the upcoming Copa America.
The £8.1million-rated centre-back has represented his country eight times in the past, having made his international debut back in 2015 as part of a side led by Ramon Diaz that lost 1-0 to Mexico.
Balbuena struggled for minutes on the international stage for the following three years, however, with the 6 ft 1 defender left on the bench throughout the 2015 Copa America, and overlooked for Paraguay’s World Cup qualifying games until facing Colombia in June 2017.
His move to West Ham last summer and efforts in Claret and Blue, though, seemingly thrust his potential into Juan Carlos Osorio plans, as the 27-year-old featured in both of his available fixtures under the 57-year-old.
A change of manager to Argentine Eduardo Berizzo, however, saw our General again sit on the bench in what has so far been the 49-year-old’s only game in charge.
Balbuena’s next opportunity to shine for his country will come in a pre-Copa America friendly with Honduras on June 5, before facing Guatemala three days later.
Paraguay’s tournament then begins on June 16 with a clash with Qatar at the Maracana, before facing 14-time Copa America winners Argentina and then Colombia.
When it was shared on Twitter than Balbuena had been called up to Berizzo’s squad, here’s how these West Ham fans reacted…
excellent signing
— Bienvenue Kikwit RIP GRUMPY CAT (@BeatTheBatak) May 30, 2019
The best 4m we’ve ever spent
— Elliot Tyler (@ElliotTyler11) May 30, 2019
Beast
— Steve ⚒ (@James59226468) May 30, 2019
Is he the Paraguay’s captain..?
— Yahya Mohamed ???????? (@yahya_yahyam) May 30, 2019
Conquerer’s of the world
— The Velveteen Meme (@Crumlin_Village) May 30, 2019
He’s getting injured then! ????♂️
— MassiveStunt (@stevejnr292) May 30, 2019