Exclusive: McAvennie delivers verdict on Balbuena future at West Ham
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie would be “disappointed” if West Ham offered Fabian Balbuena a new contract with the defender’s existing deal due to expire this summer.
Balbuena, 29, has reportedly decided that his future lies elsewhere [Claret & Hugh] after dropping down the pecking order at the London Stadium this season.
The Paraguay international, who joined the Irons from Corinthians in 2018, has played 12 times in the Premier League this season but hasn’t featured since December 27 due to the emergence of Craig Dawson.
Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna also appear to be above Balbuena in David Moyes’ pecking order in the centre of the defence but it’s Dawson who McAvennie believes has had the biggest impact on the South American’s future in East London.
“I don’t know, he hasn’t been playing recently,” said McAvennie in an exclusive interview with West Ham Zone.
“Dawson’s done a wonderful job coming in. He’s come in and done what he’s good at, blocking the ball, getting his body in front of it and play it to boys who can play it better than him. Dawson, for me, has been the best signing at times.
“With Balbuena, they might want someone else to come in. I’d be disappointed if they gave him a new contract now because there are too many boys ahead of him.”
It’s almost impossible for Moyes to justify playing Balbuena at the moment with West Ham playing so well without the ex-Corinthians defender in their side.
Dawson and Diop have forged quite the partnership in recent weeks while Ogbonna has been out with the Irons keeping two clean sheets and winning three of their four games with the Englishman and Frenchman at the back.
Balbuena’s never really shown himself to be a strong option in defence in the Premier League.
While the Paraguayan has had good games and good spells of form, he’s always been culpable to mistakes and attackers have often taken advantage of his lack of speed.
We wish him all the best in the summer if he does move on but all the signs are suggesting that is very likely to happen.
In other West Ham news, our panel of Super Fans have discussed whether finishing in the top-four is a realistic target.