The injury to Lukasz Fabianski has affected West Ham in a bigger way than many supporters anticipated, and it appears that Manuel Pellegrini is looking to remedy this problem.
As well as the 34-year-old goalkeeper returning from a hip injury in the New Year as reported by Football London, Claret and Hugh now claim that the Hammers will be looking for another shot-stopper in the January transfer window to replace Roberto, who has been poor since replacing Fabianski in the West Ham first-team.
Will Fabianski's return save the season?
Yes
No
The Spanish goalkeeper has been a comedy of errors since filling in for the Polish international, with performances against Newcastle United and Burnley seemingly costing the Hammers important points in the Premier League.
Although the report from Claret and Hugh that a new keeper in January will likely be a loan signing due to the club’s financial restraints, it is seemingly possible that West Ham could make a permanent signing in this position given how much cheaper shot-stoppers usually are to outfield players.
Indeed, this could be something that the West Ham board have already discussed, and it would be wise from the club to start looking at goalkeeping options that could not only be suitable backups to Fabianski but also players who could succeed the former Swansea City man when he hangs up in his glove in the not too distant future.
At 34 and recovering from the first serious injury of his West Ham career as injury records from Transfermarkt show, Fabianski could well decline quicker than expected with the keeper approaching his mid-thirties and being out on the side-lines for months, and for West Ham, that means looking towards the future for their next number one.
Fabianski has been nothing short of an incredible signing for West Ham, yet with the keeper heading into the final years of his career and the Pole returning from a big injury, Pellegrini will be smart to start assessing options for the future to cover the 34-year-old and eventually replace him in the first-team.
