Alphonse Areola concern at West Ham United after what happened v Man City
Dan Bardell believes West Ham should be concerned with Alphonse Areola as he was substituted at half time against Manchester City.
The France international was surprisingly replaced by Lukasz Fabianksi during the interval at the London Stadium in the 3-1 defeat on Saturday 31 August.
This was the fourth time that the 31-year-old has been substituted off due to injury since the beginning of last campaign.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell has been left bemused by Areola and thinks his early exits are having an impact on the Polish keeper.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Bardell said: “I’ve never known a goalkeeper go off at half time as much as Areola does.
“It happened a lot last season as well which must be a concern for West Ham fans. He’s the undisputed number one but the way he keeps coming off with injury feels like a concern.
“Fabianski isn’t a bad number two but he’s being called into action more than he’d expect. He’s having to come on mid-game and at half time which can’t be easy for a goalkeeper.“
West Ham developing Alphonse Areola concern
It is always bizarre to see a goalkeeper come off but it has been a somewhat regular occurrence for the Frenchman for the Irons.
Areola is easily the most talented keeper at the club and has a positive impact but needs to work on his fitness and remain on the pitch for as long as possible.
With Wes Foderingham coming in on a free transfer, Julen Lopetegui has plenty of options in between the sticks, but it is far from ideal.
Given that he has arrived for international duty, his injury worry appears to be over but this didn’t help the Hammers secure a positive result against Man City.
In other West Ham news, a free agent makes his transfer decision after rejecting the latest offer.
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